Effect of body mass index on health related quality of life among adolescents in government school of Pokhara

Underweight, overweight, and obesity are serious public health problems associated with various health impairments. This study aimed to examine the effect of body mass index on health-related quality of life among adolescents. This study was conducted in secondary-level government schools in Pokhara, Nepal. A total of 380 adolescents were selected using multistage cluster sampling. Quantitative data on socio-demographic factors were collected using a semi-structured self-administered questionnaire, and Health-Related Quality of Life was measured by using the Pediatric Quality of Life Generic Score Scale 4.0. Body mass index was assessed through anthropometric measurements of height and weight, following the Centre for Disease Control Body Mass Index Calculator. Data completeness was verified on the same day of collection. Subsequently, the data were edited, organized, coded, and entered for analysis using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 21. Normality tests were conducted, followed by descriptive and inferential analyses. Non-parametric tests were applied for data that did not follow a normal distribution. The majority of adolescents were of normal weight (83.4%), followed by 10% who were underweight and 6.6% who were overweight or obese. Emotional functioning was the most affected subscale of Health-Related Quality of Life. Body mass index was negatively and weakly correlated with school functioning (rs = − 0.112), and this correlation was statistically significant (p = 0.030). Female adolescents, having an illiterate mother, and single parenting were factors associated with decreased Health-Related Quality of Life, all of which were statistically significant (p = 0.001, p = 0.003, and p = 0.041 respectively). Adolescents with a higher body mass index report a lower health-related quality of life. Emphasis should be placed on female adolescents, adolescents from single-parent households, and children of illiterate mothers. Longitudinal and national-level studies are needed to provide more evidence on the association between body mass index and health-related quality of life.