According to DisabilityScoop, research shows that obesity is a tremendous problem for people with disabilities. The news site reported that 42 percent of American adults with disabilities are obese and 9 percent are extremely obese. The site used information provided by a study published in the American Journal of Preventative Medicine.
DisabilityScoop reported that 29 percent of adults without disabilities are considered obese, while 3.9 percent were considered extremely obese. “Prior to this research, national samples only indicated obesity prevalence in adults with disabilities at 29 to 31 percent,” Katherine Froehlich-Grobe, an associate professor of health promotion and behavioral science at The University of Texas School of Public Health told DisabilityScoop. “We were surprised at the magnitude of how high obesity prevalence was among those with a disability.”
The study also found that “people with disabilities had greater incidence of chronic illnesses like diabetes, hypertension and high cholesterol and were twice as likely to take lipid-lowering drugs and prescription medication for high blood pressure.”
It should come as no surprise that people with disabilities often struggle with their weight. People who suffer from catastrophic injuries like spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries and amputations often struggle to adjust to a sedentary life. Many people who receive Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) simply cannot have an active life that includes constant exercise.
Hopefully, this study will lead to further research into disabilities and obesity. Technology, including advancements in physical and occupational therapies, as well as nutritional education initiatives, may be able to help alleviate weight problems for people with disabilities.
If you have questions about disability benefits or are unsure if you qualify, contact a Tulsa Social Security Disability attorney. We offer free evaluations of your case, and you may reach us by phone at (918) 265-1404. Contact us today to learn more about your rights.
Troutman & Troutman, P.C. – Tulsa Social Security Disability attorneys
