Independent associations between weight status and disability in adults: Results from the health survey for England

Lidstone, J.S.M.; Ells, L.J.; Finn, P.; Whittaker, V.J.; Wilkinson, J.R.; Summerbell, C.D.

doi:10.1016/j.puhe.2005.12.003

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Volume 120, Issue 5 , Pages 412-417, May 2006

Independent associations between weight status and disability in adults: Results from the health survey for England

J.S.M. Lidstone
- School of Health and Social Care, University of Teesside, Middlesbrough TS1 3BA, UK
- Corresponding author. Tel.: +44 1642 342771; fax: +44 1642 342770.
L.J. Ells
- School of Health and Social Care, University of Teesside, Middlesbrough TS1 3BA, UK
P. Finn
- School of Health and Social Care, University of Teesside, Middlesbrough TS1 3BA, UK
V.J. Whittaker
- School of Health and Social Care, University of Teesside, Middlesbrough TS1 3BA, UK
J.R. Wilkinson
- School of Health and Social Care, University of Teesside, Middlesbrough TS1 3BA, UK
- North East Public Health Observatory, University of Durham, Stockton-on-Tees, UK
C.D. Summerbell
- School of Health and Social Care, University of Teesside, Middlesbrough TS1 3BA, UK

Received 28 January 2005; received in revised form 9 June 2005; accepted 7 December 2005.

Summary

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.

Keywords: Obesity, Morbid obesity, Overweight, Disability, Population survey