Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 30, 2026
09:36
Assessment of Child Anthropometry in a Large Epidemiologic Study
Published on: February 2, 2017
26.7K
Obesity among adults with disabling conditions
Evette Weil1, Melissa Wachterman, Ellen P McCarthy
1Division of General Medicine and Primary Care, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, 330 Brookline Ave, Boston, MA 02215, USA.
JAMA
|September 7, 2002
Summary
Obesity is more common in adults with disabilities, particularly those with mobility or mental health conditions. Healthcare providers should focus on weight management and exercise for this population.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
- Disability Studies
Background:
- Obesity is a significant public health concern and a leading cause of preventable disease and death.
- The relationship between obesity and disability is not well understood, particularly in specific disability groups.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prevalence of obesity among adults with physical limitations, sensory impairments, and serious mental illness.
- To compare obesity rates in individuals with and without disabilities.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of data from the 1994-1995 National Health Interview Survey, including 145,007 US adults.
- Focus on a subgroup of 25,626 respondents with one or more disabilities.
- Examined likelihood of obesity, weight loss attempts, and exercise counseling receipt.
Main Results:
- Adults with disabilities had a significantly higher obesity prevalence (24.9%) compared to those without (15.1%).
- Adjusted odds ratio for obesity was 1.9 for adults with any disability, with highest risk in those with severe lower extremity mobility difficulties (AOR 2.5).
- Weight loss attempts varied by disability type, and exercise counseling was less frequent for those with severe mobility impairments.
Conclusions:
- Obesity is more prevalent in adults with sensory, physical, and mental health conditions.
- Healthcare practitioners need to prioritize weight control and exercise interventions for adults with disabilities.
- Further research is warranted to understand specific needs and effective strategies for this population.
Related Concept Videos
01:24Obesity
1.5K
The Body Mass Index (BMI) is a numerical value derived from a person's weight and height, used to categorize individuals into weight ranges. It is calculated using the formula: weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared. Obesity is a health condition characterized by excessive accumulation of adipose tissue that poses health risks, often diagnosed with a BMI ≥ 30. This excess fat storage occurs when surplus dietary calories are converted into triglycerides and stored in...
1.5K
01:21Drug Dosing: Obese Patients
368
In the United States, obesity is a prominent concern. It is linked to heightened mortality rates due to increased occurrences of conditions such as hypertension, atherosclerosis, coronary artery disease, and diabetes compared to nonobese individuals. A patient is classified as obese if their actual body weight surpasses the ideal or desirable body weight by 20%, based on Metropolitan Life Insurance Company data. Ideal body weights consider average weights and heights for males and females...
368
01:25Pharmacokinetics in Obese Patients: Drug Absorption and Distribution
440
Obesity significantly alters the pharmacokinetic processes of drug absorption and distribution, presenting unique challenges in medical treatment. The increased fat tissue and decreased lean muscle in obese individuals can significantly affect how drugs are absorbed into the body and distributed across different tissues. This alteration can lead to variances in the effectiveness and safety of medications, necessitating adjustments in dosing or drug selection for obese patients.One notable...
440
01:20Pharmacokinetics in Obese Patients: Drug Metabolism and Excretion
324
Drug metabolism, a critical process in the liver, involves two primary phases: Phase I reactions and Phase II conjugation. Obesity introduces significant alterations in this metabolic process, primarily due to fatty infiltration of the liver, leading to conditions such as nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). This condition can modify the activities of both Phase I and II enzymes, impacting how drugs are metabolized in obese patients.Phase I metabolism sees variable effects across...
324
01:15Diabetes: Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Complications
2.5K
For most patients, experiencing several weeks of polyuria, polydipsia, fatigue, and significant weight loss may indicate the presence of diabetes. Furthermore, adults displaying the phenotypic appearance of type 2 diabetes (particularly those who are obese and not initially insulin-requiring), may have islet cell autoantibodies, suggesting autoimmune-mediated β cell destruction and a diagnosis of latent autoimmune diabetes of adults (LADA). The categorization of glucose homeostasis is...
2.5K
01:23Binge Eating Disorders
828
Binge eating disorder is a significant mental health condition characterized by recurrent episodes of excessive food consumption within a short period, accompanied by a perceived loss of control over eating behavior. Unlike occasional overeating, binge eating disorder is marked by distressing emotions such as guilt, shame, and anxiety following binge episodes. The disorder affects individuals across different ages and backgrounds, with profound implications for physical and psychological...
828