Obesity increases the risk of many health conditions, including heart disease, type 2 diabetes, cancers, high blood pressure, lipid disorders, stroke and more. While obesity affects more than one‐third of all adult Americans, people with disabilities are more likely to be overweight or obese and often have fewer tools for controlling weight at their disposal.
- 20% of children age 10 through 17 with special health care needs are obese versus 15% of children without special health care needs.1
- Children and adults with mobility limitations and intellectual or learning disabilities are at greatest risk for obesity.2
- Obesity rates for adults with disabilities are 58% higher than for adults without disabilities.3