Obesity and disability - a short review.

The prevalence of both obesity and disability is increasing globally and there is now growing evidence to suggest that these two health priorities may be linked. This paper explores the evidence linking obesity to muscular-skeletal conditions, mental health disorders and learning disabilities in both adult and child populations. The impact of obesity on the four most prevalent disabling conditions in the UK (arthritis, mental health disorders, learning disabilities and back ailments) has been examined through novel data analysis of the 2001 Health Survey for England and UK Back Exercise And Manipulation trial data. Together these analyses strongly suggest that whether the cause or result of disability, obesity is undeniably implicated, thus presenting a serious public health priority. Future research efforts are required to strengthen the evidence base examining obesity in back disorders, mental health and learning disabilities, in order to improve current clinical management.

Independent associations between weight status and disability in adults: results from the Health Survey for England.

OBJECTIVES: While direct links between obesity and some illnesses are well-established, there is a relative paucity of research on associations between obesity and disabilities. The aim of this study was to test for significant associations between overweight and obesity and the presence of a wide range of disabling conditions in adults, controlling for sex, age, education, social class, income, cigarette smoking status and alcohol consumption. STUDY DESIGN: Data were extracted from the Health Survey for England (2001); a cross-sectional survey of the community-dwelling population. In total, 8613 adult participants were included in the analysis. METHODS: Multivariate logistic regression was employed to test whether the odds of having a range of disabling conditions are higher in the overweight and obese populations compared with those in the ideal weight range. RESULTS: The risk of nearly all disabling conditions tested was elevated in the obese and morbidly obese groups. Of great importance for public health, the risks of musculoskeletal illness, arthritis and rheumatism, and personal care disability were significantly elevated, even in those in the overweight category (currently about half of the adult population living in the UK). CONCLUSIONS: Obesity is independently associated with a range of disabling conditions in adults. The present study highlights the need for further research into the mechanisms by which these associations occur.