Journal of School of Public Health and

  Background an d Aim : Overweight and obesity are one of the most serious health and social problems in the world today. The fact that obesity is highly prevalent among adolescents is particularly alarming, considering that the disease has many undesirable physical and mental consequences. This study examined the relationship between overweight and obesity and the quality of life.

  Materials and Methods : A total of 400 high school girl-students, selected by the two-stage cluster sampling, completed the demographic and sf-36 quality of life questionnaires. Their weights and heights were measured using the Seca scale (precision 100 g) and non-elastic tape (precision 0.5 cm) by the researcher, respectively.

  Results : The prevalence of overweight and obesity in the sample was 21.8%. The mean scores of general health, physical health, physical limitations, and social functioning were significantly lower among overweight and obese, as compared to normal, subjects. Dissatisfaction with physical fitness, not living with both parents, poor economic conditions and skipping breakfast were factors associated with a lower quality of life.

  Conclusion : Considering the high prevalence of overweight and obesity among high school girls and their significant correlations with the physical dimensions of quality of life, attention to obesity as a major health and social problem on the part of health planners and policy-makers is of utmost importance.