Regulation of Dietary Habits: The effect of losing weight on quality of life

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the effects of regulation of nutritional habits on quality of life by applying Short Form (SF-36) Quality of Life Scale. METHODS: SF-36 was administered through face-to-face interviews to a total of 129 individuals (112 female, 17 male) aged 18-65 years. Anthropometric measurements, body mass index, and waist circumference measurement were undertaken simultaneously. The changes in weight, body mass index, waist circumference measurement, and SF-36 scores were compared at baseline and three months after modification of dietary habits. RESULTS: At three months after the regulation of dietary habits, a statistically significant decrease was found in weight, body mass index, and waist circumference measurements (p<0.05). Overall improvement was observed in all the quality of life parameters assessed with SF-36, and among them, the sub-scales of general health, bodily pain and vitality were statistically significant (p<0.05). The improvement in these sub-scale scores was similar to the literature. CONCLUSION: The individuals who lost weight through adopting healthy dietary habits had increased SF-36 scores, indicating the positive effect of regulating diet on their quality of life.