Adolescents with disabilities are at the top of the obesity ranking and have a high rate of obesity-related secondary conditions

We examined obesity prevalence and obesity-related secondary conditions in youth with disabilities. A national convenience sample of 461 parents of youth with disabilities (M age =14.9 yr + 1.9) responded to a questionnaire containing questions related to their child's health status, including body weight and existing health conditions. Results were compared to published data on youth without disabilities. Youth with disabilities were 1.36 times (95% CI 1.07-1.75) more likely to be obese than youth without disabilities. Female youth with disabilities were almost two times more likely to be obese than female youth without disabilities. Youth with autism were 2.2 more times likely to be obese and youth with Down syndrome (DS) were 3 times more likely to be obese compared to youth without disabilities. Obese youth with cognitive disabilities (autism, Intellectual Disability including DS) had a significantly higher prevalence of high blood cholesterol, diabetes, preoccupation with weight, and early maturation compared to youth with healthy weight. Obese youth with physical disabilities (cerebral palsy & spina bifida) had a significantly higher prevalence of high blood pressure compared to their healthy weight counterparts. Across the two physical disability groups, overweight youth tended to show a higher trend for each secondary condition. The higher prevalence of obesity and obesity-related secondary conditions in youth with disabilities compared to non-disabled youth raises serious concern about their future health and well being. Greater attention must be directed at identifying successful strategies for reducing obesity in this population. Grant #H133A0600066, National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research.