Validation of the WHOQOL-BREF Quality of Life Questionnaire in an Urban Sample of Older Adults in a Neighbourhood in Zaragoza (Spain).

BACKGROUND: Nowadays, the increase in life expectancy needs to be matched by an increase in the wellbeing of older adults. A starting point is the definition of what is understood by health-related quality of life and its measurement in different contexts. Our research translates these international priorities to a local base. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the psychometric characteristics of the World Health Organization Quality of Life Questionnaire (WHOQOL-BREF) in a sample of older adults from a Spanish urban community (Casablanca). METHODS: In collaboration with the local health centre, we designed and implemented the health neighbourhood survey. Interviews took place at subjects' homes with 212 women and 135 men over the age of 60, who were residents in Casablanca. With the results, we evaluated the psychometric characteristics of WHOQOL-BREF and tested its reliability and validation. RESULTS: The instrument has a high internal consistency with a Cronbach's Alpha of 0.9. The items with higher correlation value were: ability to carry out activities in daily life, enough energy for daily life. The scale contributions of Physical Health dimension (0.809) and Psychological Health dimension (0.722) were notable. CONCLUSIONS: As with other studies, the instrument proved to be an integral evaluation of the diverse domains that condition the wellbeing of older adults.

Sobrepeso medido por IMC o percibido y comportamientos de control del peso en adolescentes universitarios de Ciudad Guzmán, Jalisco, México

El objetivo fue evaluar las asociaciones entre comportamientos de control de peso y sobrepeso medido por IMC, sobrepeso percibido o percepción errónea del peso en adolescentes por género. Participaron 492 adolescentes universitarios de 17 a 19 años de edad. Se utilizó un cuestionario auto aplicado en línea y se midió peso y estatura. Los análisis estadísticos incluyeron kappa ponderada y regresión logística multivariada. La concordancia entre el peso percibido y el medido por IMC fue 78.7% y la kappa ponderada=0.62. Los adolescentes que percibieron sobrepeso intentaron con más frecuencia bajar de peso, hacer ejercicio y comer menos alimentos que los que tenían sobrepeso medido por IMC. Una cuarta parte intentó bajarlo aún sin percibir o tener sobrepeso real. La posibilidad de tratar de bajar de peso fue mayor en hombres y mujeres con sobrepeso percibido (RM=18.7, IC 95% 6.3-55.3 y RM=10.4, IC 95% 4.5-24.2 respectivamente) y en mujeres que sobrestimaron el peso corporal (RM =6.0, IC 95% 2.8- 12.7). Hubo menos posibilidad de tratar de bajar peso cuando se subestimó el peso en hombres (RM = 0.03, IC 95% 0.01-0.12) y mujeres (RM=0.19, IC 95% 0.05-0.70). En conclusión, el comportamiento de bajar de peso se explica mejor en adolescentes en ambos géneros que percibían sobre peso y en mujeres que lo sobre estimaban, mientras que los hombres intentaron menos bajarlo si subestimaban su peso.

Perceived or BMI-measured overweight and weight controlbehaviors in undergraduate adolescents from Ciudad Guzmán, Jalisco, México. The aim was to evaluate associations between weight control behaviorsand overweight measured by BMI, overweight perception or inaccurate weight perception. 492 undergraduate adolescents from 17 to 19 years old participated in the study. A self-administered questionnaire on line was applied and weight and height were measured. Statistical analysis included weighted kappa and multivariate logistic regression. The concordance between weight perception and that evaluated by BMI was 78.7%, weight kappa = 0.62. Adolescents who perceived overweight tried to lose weight, exercised and ate less food more frequently than those who were overweight evaluated by BMI. A quarter tried to lose weight eventhough they did not perceive or were actually overweight.The odds of trying to lose weight were higher in men and women who perceived overweight (OR = 18.7,CI 95% 6.3-55.3and OR = 10.4, IC 95% 4.5-24.2, respectively) andwomen who overestimated overweight (OR = 6.0, CI 95% 2.8-12.7).The odds of tying to lose weight when weight was underestimated were less in men (OR = 0.03, CI 95% 0.01-0.12) and women (OR = 0.19, IC 95% 0.05-0.70). In conclusion the behavior of trying to lose weight was better explained among adolescents of both genders who perceived overweight and among girls who overestimated it.

[Perceived or BMI-measured overweight and weight control behaviors in undergraduate adolescents from Ciudad Guzmán, Jalisco, México]. / Sobrepeso medido por IMC o percibido y comportamientos de control del peso en adolescentes universitarios de Ciudad Guzmán, Jalisco, México.

The aim was to evaluate associations between weight control behaviors and overweight measured by BMI, overweight perception or inaccurate weight perception. 492 undergraduate adolescents from 17 to 19 years old participated in the study. A self-administered questionnaire on line was applied and weight and height were measured. Statistical analysis included weighted kappa and multivariate logistic regression. The concordance between weight perception and that evaluated by BMI was 78.7%, weight kappa = 0.62. Adolescents who perceived overweight tried to lose weight, exercised and ate less food more frequently than those who were overweight evaluated by BMI. A quarter tried to lose weight eventhough they did not perceive or were actually overweight. The odds of trying to lose weight were higher in men and women who perceived overweight (OR = 18.7, CI 95% 6.3-55.3 and OR = 10.4, IC 95% 4.5-24.2, respectively) andwomen who overestimated overweight (OR = 6.0, CI 95% 2.8-12.7). The odds of tying to lose weight when weight was underestimated were less in men (OR = 0.03, CI 95% 0.01-0.12) and women (OR = 0.19, IC 95% 0.05-0.70). In conclusion the behavior of trying to lose weight was better explained among adolescents of both genders who perceived overweight and among girls who overestimated it.

[Residential typologies in Chilean irregular settlements with precarious housing conditions]. / Tipologías residenciales en comunidades chilenas en condiciones de precariedad habitacional.

OBJECTIVE: To identify residential parameters that characterize the physical and social environment in Chile's irregular settlements, and to construct typologies that will allow to develop profiles with those distinctive residential attributes. METHODS: The study examined the universe of irregular settlements (n = 122) in Chile's Metropolitan Region, based on the 2007 national inventory of irregular settlements conducted by the "Un Techo para Chile" foundation. Information about the communities and their locations was obtained from key informants, and these variables were modeled using factor analysis to identify residential parameters, which were then refined by k-means clustering. RESULTS: The factor analysis pointed to three underlying parameters: local social response, the environment beyond the community, and basic services. The key variables shaping these categories were the existence of housing projects, the urban area involved, and access to electricity. The cluster analysis generated four profiles that combined the three parameters: an urban profile with relatively reliable basic services (n = 30), an urban-rural profile with high potential for local social response (n = 32), an urban profile with a high level of environmental threat (n = 43), and a rural profile with low potential for local social response (n = 17). CONCLUSIONS: The residential parameters formed are consistent with the revised theoretical model and suggest relevant indicators for monitoring these communities. Definition of the profiles facilitates assessment of the heterogeneity of residential situations, which helps in the prioritization of areas with deficits or risks that may be present in each cluster. This, in turn, opens the door to further investigation and to exploring opportunities for action.

[Quality of life according to self-perceived weight, weight control behaviors, and gender among adolescent university students in Mexico]. / Calidad de vida, según percepción y comportamientos de control del peso por género, en estudiantes universitarios adolescentes en México.

UNLABELLED: The aim of this study was to analyze quality of life (QoL) according to self-perceived weight and weight control behaviors, by gender. The sample consisted of 2,401 adolescent students (17-19 years of age) enrolled from 2007 to 2009 at a Mexican university; 61.9% were women, 19.4% worked, and 99.2% were single. An online self-administered questionnaire was used that included the perceptual module of the YQOL-R and seven items on body weight, adapted from YRBS 2007. RESULTS: 52% of women and 31.7% of men were attempting to lose weight. The highest QoL scores were in students who felt they were near the right weight, those who were attempting to maintain the same weight, and those who exercised. Lowest QoL was reported by those who considered themselves overweight, were trying to lose weight, were eating less, were skipping meals, or were using unsupervised dieting, vomiting, or laxatives. In women, QoL differed between those maintaining the same weight, gaining weight, and losing weight, while QoL in men only differed for those attempting to gain weight. The findings could be useful in educational processes, preventive programs, and assessment of interventions.

Calidad de vida, según percepción y comportamientos de control del peso por género, en estudiantes universitarios adolescentes en México / Quality of life according to self-perceived weight, weight control behaviors, and gender among adolescent university students in Mexico

El objetivo de este estudio fue analizar la calidad de vida (CV), según auto percepción del peso corporal y comportamientos de control de peso, por género, en 2.401 estudiantes de 17 a 19 años de primer ingreso en un centro universitario en México del 2007 al 2009; 61,9 por ciento mujeres, 80,6 por ciento no trabajaban y 99,2 por ciento solteros. Se auto administró en línea un cuestionario genérico de CV (YQOL-R) módulo perceptual, y siete ítems acerca del peso adaptados del YRBS 2007. Se observó que un 52 por ciento de mujeres y un 31,7 por ciento de hombres trataba de bajar de peso. CV más alta para peso cercano al correcto, quienes trataban de mantenerse en su peso y los que hacían ejercicio; CV más baja para quienes reportaron mucho sobrepeso, mujeres que trataban de bajar de peso, comían menos, dejaban de comer, hacían dieta sin supervisión, vomitaban o tomaban laxantes. En mujeres la CV fue diferente si trataban de mantenerse, subir o bajar de peso; en hombres sólo al tratar de subir. Esta información puede ser de utilidad para procesos educativos, programas de prevención y para evaluar las intervenciones.

The aim of this study was to analyze quality of life (QoL) according to self-perceived weight and weight control behaviors, by gender. The sample consisted of 2,401 adolescent students (17-19 years of age) enrolled from 2007 to 2009 at a Mexican university; 61.9 percent were women, 19.4 percent worked, and 99.2 percent were single. An online self-administered questionnaire was used that included the perceptual module of the YQOL-R and seven items on body weight, adapted from YRBS 2007. RESULTS: 52 percent of women and 31.7 percent of men were attempting to lose weight. The highest QoL scores were in students who felt they were near the right weight, those who were attempting to maintain the same weight, and those who exercised. Lowest QoL was reported by those who considered themselves overweight, were trying to lose weight, were eating less, were skipping meals, or were using unsupervised dieting, vomiting, or laxatives. In women, QoL differed between those maintaining the same weight, gaining weight, and losing weight, while QoL in men only differed for those attempting to gain weight. The findings could be useful in educational processes, preventive programs, and assessment of interventions.

Tipologías residenciales en comunidades chilenas en condiciones de precariedad habitacional / Residential typologies in Chilean irregular settlements with precarious housing conditions

OBJETIVO: Identificar dimensiones residenciales que caractericen el ambiente físico y social en los campamentos de Chile y construir tipologías que permitan elaborar perfiles con esos atributos residenciales distintivos. MÉTODOS: Se estudió el universo de campamentos (n = 122) de la Región Metropolitana (Chile) a partir del Catastro Nacional de Campamentos realizado por la fundación "Un Techo para Chile" en 2007. Se recolectó información proveniente de informantes clave sobre las comunidades y los lugares de emplazamiento, variables que fueron modeladas empleando un análisis factorial para identificar dimensiones residenciales, las que a su vez fueron refinadas con la técnica de agrupamientos de k-medias. RESULTADOS: El análisis factorial destacó tres dimensiones subyacentes: respuesta social local, ambiente extracomunitario y servicios básicos. Las variables centrales en la formación de esas categorías fueron la existencia de proyectos habitacionales, el área urbana y el acceso a electricidad, respectivamente. El análisis de agrupamientos generó cuatro perfiles que combinaron las tres dimensiones: perfil urbano con baja precariedad de servicios básicos (n = 30), perfil urbano-rural con alto potencial de respuesta social local (n = 32), perfil urbano con alta amenaza ambiental (n = 43) y perfil rural con bajo potencial de respuesta social local (n = 17). CONCLUSIONES: Las dimensiones residenciales formadas son consistentes con el modelo teórico revisado y sugieren indicadores relevantes para el seguimiento de estas comunidades. La identificación de perfiles permite dimensionar la heterogeneidad de realidades residenciales contribuyendo a la priorización de dominios de déficit o riesgos que pueden estar presentes en cada grupo, para con ello profundizar en su investigación y oportunidades de acción.

OBJECTIVE: To identify residential parameters that characterize the physical and social environment in Chile's irregular settlements, and to construct typologies that will allow to develop profiles with those distinctive residential attributes. METHODS: The study examined the universe of irregular settlements (n = 122) in Chile's Metropolitan Region, based on the 2007 national inventory of irregular settlements conducted by the "Un Techo para Chile" foundation. Information about the communities and their locations was obtained from key informants, and these variables were modeled using factor analysis to identify residential parameters, which were then refined by k-means clustering. RESULTS: The factor analysis pointed to three underlying parameters: local social response, the environment beyond the community, and basic services. The key variables shaping these categories were the existence of housing projects, the urban area involved, and access to electricity. The cluster analysis generated four profiles that combined the three parameters: an urban profile with relatively reliable basic services (n = 30), an urban-rural profile with high potential for local social response (n = 32), an urban profile with a high level of environmental threat (n = 43), and a rural profile with low potential for local social response (n = 17). CONCLUSIONS: The residential parameters formed are consistent with the revised theoretical model and suggest relevant indicators for monitoring these communities. Definition of the profiles facilitates assessment of the heterogeneity of residential situations, which helps in the prioritization of areas with deficits or risks that may be present in each cluster. This, in turn, opens the door to further investigation and to exploring opportunities for action.