Self-reported disability in adults with severe obesity

Area of Science:

• Obesity research
• Disability studies
• Public health

Background:

• Severe obesity, defined as a body mass index (BMI) of 35 kg/m² or higher, is a growing public health concern.
• Obesity is linked to numerous comorbidities and can affect an individual's quality of life and ability to perform daily activities.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the relationship between severe obesity and self-reported disability in performing daily life activities.
• To investigate how increasing BMI levels correlate with the degree of disability.
• To identify factors associated with disability in severely obese adults.

Main Methods:

• A cohort of 262 adults with severe obesity (BMI ≥ 35 kg/m²) was recruited.
• Participants were categorized into three BMI groups: 35-39.99 kg/m², 40-44.99 kg/m², and ≥ 45.0 kg/m².
• Self-reported disability was measured using the Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ), with scores correlated against BMI, age, and comorbidities.

Main Results:

• A significant positive correlation was found between higher BMI and increased HAQ scores, indicating greater disability.
• Nearly 75% of participants reported some level of disability, with prevalence rising with BMI and age.
• Disability correlated with type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and depression, but not gender.

Conclusions:

• Severe obesity is strongly associated with self-reported disability in daily activities, escalating with higher BMI.
• Functional assessment and understanding disability profiles are crucial for personalized obesity management and public health strategies.
• Integrating disability assessment into obesity care can improve patient outcomes and inform targeted interventions.