The Influence of Physical Activity on Quality of Life in Morbidly Obese Patients with Urinary Dysfunction

Obesity is a disease characterized by excess fat in the body that results in damage to health. Several cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, musculoskeletal disorders and some neoplasms are considered to be comorbidities related to obesity, as well as urinary dysfunction and, as a result, a deficit in quality of life. Adherence to physical activity can be part of the adoption of healthier lifestyles and assist in the treatment of obesity and comorbidities related to it, as well as urinary dysfunction and quality of life. Thus, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the influence of physical activity on the quality of life of morbidly obese individuals who have urinary dysfunction. This is a cross-sectional observational pilot study. The anthropometric variables collected were weight; height; Body Mass Index (BMI); and average waist circumference. The level of physical activity of the patients was assessed using IPAQ SF –International Physical Activity Questionnaire Short Form. To characterize the patients in relation to the percentage of fat, the Prediction Equation for Obese Individuals – Women was used. Urinary incontinence was assessed using the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire – Short Form (ICIQ-SF). Quality of life was assessed using the questionnaire WHOQOL BREF –World Health Organization Quality of Life Assessment Bref. A total of 47 individuals were approached and evaluated, being 31 active and 16 sedentary. There was no significant correlation between the variables analyzed in the group of active individuals. However, in the group of sedentary individuals, significant negative correlations were found between BMI and quality of life general (R=-0.610; p=0.011), physical domain (R=-0.642; p=0.007) and psychological domain (R=-0.625; p=0.009); and between percentage of fat and quality of life general (R=-0.609; p=0.012), physical domain (R=-0.637; p=0.007) and psychological domain (R=-0.590; p=0.015). Among sedentary obese people with urinary dysfunction, a significant impairment of quality of life was registered, especially in the general scope and in the physical and psychological domains. In the group of active obese patients with urinary dysfunction, there was no significant correlation between the variables analyzed.