The Influence of Obesity on Quality of Life: A Systematic Review

Introduction: The relationship between obesity and the quality of life (QoL) or health-related quality of life (HRQoL) has been confounded by several factors, including multi-morbidity. The objective of this study is to review and explore the relationship between obesity and quality of life, controlling for the long-term conditions alongside various demoic, health, and lifestyle factors within the general population.

Methodology: To achieve the objective, we have conducted a systematic review of 21 studies published between 2020 and 2024, focusing on the influence of obesity on individuals’ quality of life. This systematic review employed a robust methodology that follows the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. It included studies published between 2010 and 2024, drawn from various databases, including SCOPUS, PubMed, Embase, and Google Scholar.

Results: The findings indicate that obesity is directly associated with reductions in the quality of life, including mental and physical health, activities of daily living, and psychological functioning. Obese persons have higher functional limitations levels than normal and overweight individuals, even as obesity has been linked to the development of various sleep disorders, including obesity hypoventilation syndrome (OHS) and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).

Conclusions: The systematic review has disclosed the existence of a clear inverse relationship between increased weight status and decrease in the quality of life. Obesity significantly influences the quality of life of persons with obesity as it adversely affects individual’s health and affects different aspects of the person’s quality of life, including physical and psychological functioning, mental health and well-being, and body image, among others.