Obesity and physical inactivity among pre-diabetic adults with and without disabilities – BRFSS, 2009

INTRODUCTION: Pre-diabetes is a condition in which individuals have blood sugar levels higher than normal, but not high enough to be considered diabetic. People with pre-diabetes are at increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes, heart disease and stroke; however, weight loss and increased physical activity have been shown to prevent or delay type 2 diabetes in this population. People with disabilities (PWD) are more likely to be physically inactive and obese than people without disabilities (PWOD). Approximately 54 million people in the U.S. have a disability. This study estimates the prevalence of obesity and physical inactivity among pre-diabetic PWD and PWOD. METHODS: Data from the 44 states/territories that completed the 2009 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System pre-diabetes module were used to estimate pre-diabetes among PWD and PWOD, as well as obesity and physical inactivity for these groups. RESULTS: 20.1% of respondents reported a disability. PWD were more likely than PWOD to report pre-diabetes (8.4% vs. 4.7%). Pre-diabetic PWD were more likely to be obese (53.1% vs.44.9%) and physically inactive (22.3% vs. 12.5%) than PWOD. CONCLUSION: Pre-diabetes is more prevalent among PWD compared to PWOD. PWD often experience unique barriers to physical activity including a lack of transportation to fitness centers and inaccessible facilities and exercise equipment, which can contribute to greater physical inactivity and obesity. Given that pre-diabetic PWD also report higher rates of obesity and physical inactivity compared to pre-diabetic PWOD, public health efforts to reduce physical inactivity and obesity must explicitly include PWD and reduce participation barriers.