Conception and analysis of a weight-specific quality of life questionnaire for overweight and obese children and adolescents (GW-LQ-KJ)
- Obesity is associated with psychosocial strain and a lower quality of life. Health-related quality of life is an important indicator for evaluating intervention treatments. However, German disease-specific quality of life instruments are lacking. In this paper the development and psychometric results of a weight-specific quality of life questionnaire for overweight and obese children and adolescents (GQ-LQ-KJ) is described. To determine the psychometric properties of the instrument 448 children and adolescents treated for over-weight or obesity took part in the study. They filled in the quality of life questionnaire, the German version of the STAI for children, a body image avoidance questionnaire (BIAQ) and several subscales of a generic quality of life questionnaire, the Child Health Questionnaire (CHQ). Results support the item and scale properties. Furthermore we were able to form two economic parallel versions suitable for further intervention studies
