The purpose of the present study was to develop and evaluate a causal model of health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in adolescents with different body composition. The participants were 209 adolescents (107 women and 102 men) ranging from 10 to 15 years of age. A model based on that proposed by Wilson and Cleary (JAMA 273(1):59-65, 1995) was elaborated. The body composition of the participants was analyzed. They were asked to complete a battery of questionnaires composed of the following factors: biological status (BS; included body mass index and weight), symptomatic psychological status (SPS; included the variables of drive for thinness and food concerns), functional status (FS; composed of physical activity, food consumption estimation, and socioeconomic status), and HRQoL, which included the dimensions of psychological well-being, autonomy and relationship with parents, social support and peers, and the academic environment. Structural equation modeling produced a model, which obtained an adequate fit for the prediction of HRQoL (χ2(38) = 51.88, p = .07; NNFI = 0.97, CFI = 0.98, GFI = 0.95, and RMSEA = 0.04). The main outcome demonstrated the indirect effect of BS (0.44) and SPS (- 0.45) as well as a direct effect of FS (0.21) on HRQoL. In addition, a second path was observed, BS has an indirect effect on FS (0.34) and FS on HRQoL (0.21). These results provide empirical support for the evaluated model.Level of evidence: Level V, Descriptive study.
Keywords: Adolescents; Body composition; HRQoL; Model.