State-specific prevalence of obesity among adults with disabilities--eight states and the District of Columbia, 1998-1999.

The national health objectives for 2010 rank obesity among the top ten leading health indicators. Obesity increases the risk for type 2 diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia, cardiovascular disease, respiratory problems, certain cancers, gallstones, osteoarthritis, and lowered life expectancy. The estimated annual cost attributable to obesity-related diseases is approximately $100 billion. Obesity among adults in the general U. S. population increased from 12.0% in 1991 to 17.9% in 1998. Little is known about the national or state prevalence of obesity among persons with disabilities. Obesity is not measured routinely or reported among persons with disabilities. To determine the prevalence of obesity among persons with and without disabilities, CDC analyzed data from the 1998 and 1999 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) for eight states and the District of Columbia (DC). The findings indicate that obesity rates are significantly higher among persons with disabilities, especially among blacks and persons aged 45-64 years. The findings suggest that public health messages and interventions should be targeted to persons with disabilities who are likely to become obese and to obese persons who are likely to become disabled.