The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #66161

Donald L Patrick, PhD, MSPH¹, Susan Kinne, PhD¹, Tari Topolski, PhD¹, and Debra Lochner Doyle, MS, CGC². (1) Center for Disability Policy and Research, University of Washington, 146 N Canal Street #313, Seattle, WA 98103, (206) 616-2981, donald@u.washington.edu, (2) Genetics Services, Washington State Department of Health, 20435 72nd Ave. S., Suite #200 MS:K17-8, Kent, WA 98032

Reduction of overweight and obesity are a priority in Healthy People 2010. For people with disabilities, obesity is a particular problem of public health importance as well as personal attractiveness and health economics. Obesity is a substantial risk factor for heart disease, cancer, and diabetes, and affects public programs and public finance. Data from 4,207 respondents to the 2001 Washington State BRFS were analyzed to examine risk for being overweight (BMI 250-299) or obese (BMI>300). More than one in five respondents (22.4%) were classified as having a disability. These persons with disabilities were more likely to be at risk for overweight or obese (65% versus 53% for persons without disabilities; HP2010 goals are 15% for obesity and 40% for overweight). Being older, being male, and having high school or some college education were all risk factors for overweight\obesity, while physical activity and having low income were associated with lower risk. When all these factors were considered, disability was not an independent predictor, and thus age, education, gender, and inactivity explain the higher prevalence of overweight\obesity among people with disabilities. Nonetheless, improving activity levels and examining obesity prevention for people with disabilities is important to public health. Potential strategies are health club membership, physician counseling, and increased participation in everyday public life. People with disabilities can be involved in both intervention design and conduct to assure tailoring and addressing of motivational, physical, and cultural barriers to weight control and increased activity.

Learning Objectives:

• 1. describe the risk for overweight\obesity among persons with disabilities in Washington State and relate these data to national risk levels;
• 2. discuss possible preventive strategies to move toward HP 2010 goals for weight

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.