BMI and dissatisfaction with life: contextual factors and socioemotional costs of obesity

Abstract

Purpose In this study, we investigate whether individuals’ BMI categories are associated with being dissatisfied with one’s life, how this association is affected by the social comparison that individuals make, and what the role of the overall BMI levels in this process is. Methods We use data for 21,577 men and 27,415 women, collected in 2016 by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, from 34 countries in Europe, the Middle East, and Central Asia. To understand the moderating effect of contextual environment, we use multilevel mixed effect logistic regression models and data for national, regional, and cohort-specific BMI levels. Result We find that the association of BMI and dissatisfaction with life differs by gender, with overweight men being less likely to be dissatisfied with life than men with normal weight and obese women being more likely to be dissatisfied with life compared to women with normal weight. For contextual effects, we find that obese women in regions with low BMI levels are more likely to be dissatisfied with life. The effect of obesity on female life dissatisfaction is not observed in regions with high BMI levels. As for men, regional BMI levels affect the levels of life dissatisfaction but only for underweight men. Conclusions Our study adds additional nuance to the quality-of-life research by showing that the association between BMI and decreased life satisfaction is, at least partially, moderated by the contextual environment, and that the character of these effects differs by gender.

Reciprocal and Differential Influences of Mediterranean Diet and Physical Activity on Adiposity in a Cohort of Young and Older than 40 Years Adults

“…These dissimilarities may stem from better mental health and greater psycho-social adaptability among older adults, particularly amid the COVID-19 pandemic, as suggested by previous research [ 46 , 47 , 48 ]. While PCS exhibited no differences between men and women, MCS was greater in males, as previously reported in the literature [ 49 , 50 ]. A statistical interaction was observed between the Mediterranean diet, physical activity, and sex concerning PCS.…”

Satisfaction with Life and Nutritional Behaviour, Body Composition, and Functional Fitness of Women from the Kraków Population Participating in the “Healthy Active Senior” Programme

“…Moreover, among women with osteoporosis, it has been shown that the highest level of satisfaction with life was declared by women with normal body mass [66]. In turn, in other studies, it was indicated that women with excessive body mass declared lower satisfaction with life [67].…”

‘Heavy’ life satisfaction: Unveiling the intricate relationships between obesity and well-being in Abu Dhabi

“…This again underscores the interconnectedness of different dimensions of individuals' lives and their collective influence on overall life experiences. Recognizing the holistic nature of life satisfaction and its susceptibility to diverse well-being determinants, policymakers and healthcare professionals can develop targeted interventions aimed at promoting comprehensive well-being and enhancing individuals' overall quality of life [14,17] . The findings of this research lend support to other research that emphasize the importance of adopting a multifaceted approach to addressing well-being concerns, considering the complex interplay between various factors that contribute to life satisfaction [15] .…”

“…Research further elucidated this association but noted that weight loss among overweight individuals is not associated with higher life satisfaction [16] . A relevant study uncovered gender differences in the relationship between BMI and life satisfaction, noting that overweight men are less likely to report dissatisfaction with life compared to men with normal weight, while obese women are more prone to dissatisfaction compared to women with normal weight [17] . In a large sample of older adults in England, overweight and obese older adults tended to become progressively vulnerable to poor well-being [13] .…”