The relationship between self-rated health, stress, health care, overall quality of life and weight in a rural population.

Objective: To determine if there is a relationship between self-rated health, stress, health care, satisfaction, overall quality of life scores and weight.

Design: A mailed survey and retrospective chart review of people living in the Bella Coola Valley who attend the Bella Coola Medical Clinic.

Study Population: Adults living in the Bella Coola Valley who are registered with the Bella Coola Medical Clinic.

Main Outcome Measures: Self-rated health, stress, health care received, satisfaction with health, happiness, overall quality of life scores and weight (body mass index).

Results: An estimated 1734 residents live in the Bella Coola and are registered with the clinic. A total of 968 useable surveys were returned for a response rate of 56% (968/1734). Nine hundred and eighteen survey respondents had a recent weight in kilograms documented; 803 survey respondents had a height documented. A higher weight was associated with poorer self-rated health, higher stress levels, and lower satisfaction with health. It was also associated with lower self-esteem and satisfaction scores, particularly in younger obese people. A higher weight was not correlated with spirituality, overall quality of life, health care rating, or happiness scores.

Conclusion: Increasing weight may contribute to poorer health, higher stress, lower satisfaction with health and poorer self-esteem. However, we found no evidence that increased weight impairs happiness or overall quality of life. This may be one reason for the lack of success of weight loss strategies that focus on happiness and overall quality of life to increase readiness and motivation. Alternatively, focussing on secondary medical benefits and self-esteem may be useful.