Obesity and overweight prevalence among adolescents with disabilities

James H Rimmer, Kiyoshi Yamaki, Brienne M Davis, Edward Wang, Lawrence C Vogel, James H Rimmer, Kiyoshi Yamaki, Brienne M Davis, Edward Wang, Lawrence C Vogel

Abstract

Introduction: We examined overweight and obesity prevalence among adolescents with disabilities by disability type (physical vs cognitive) and demographic factors (sex, age, race/ethnicity).

Methods: Parents (N = 662) of adolescents aged 12 to 18 years with disabilities from 49 states responded to an online survey from September 2008 through March 2009.

Results: Prevalence of obesity among adolescents with physical and cognitive disabilities (17.5%) was significantly higher compared with that among adolescents without disabilities (13.0%). Obesity prevalence was higher among males, 18-year-olds, and youths with cognitive disabilities than among females, younger adolescents, and youths with physical disabilities.

Conclusion: The higher prevalence of obesity among youths with disabilities compared with nondisabled youths, particularly in certain subgroups, requires further examination in future surveillance research.

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Source: PubMed

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