Background: This study attempts to: (1) develop a profile of health risk behaviors for working-age adults with mobility limitations, and (2) compare profiles of health risk behaviors between working -age adults with and without mobility limitations to facilitate monitoring of HP2010 objectives. Methodology: Data from the 1997 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) were analyzed for indicators of health risk behaviors, including smoking status, average number of cigarettes smoked, drinking status and average number of drinks consumed, physical activity status, frequency, and duration, and average Body Mass Index (BMI). Findings: Working-age adults with mobility limitations were (1) more likely than their non-limited counterparts to smoke cigarettes daily and to smoke more cigarettes per day, (2) less likely to drink alcohol, but among drinkers, more likely to meet the criteria for binge drinking, (3) about 25% more likely not to exercise, and (4) about 15% more likely to meet the Body Mass Index (BMI) criteria for being overweight, and more than twice as likely to meet the BMI criteria for obesity, compared with non-limited adults. Conclusions: As a group, working-age adults with mobility limitations are more likely than their non-limited counterparts to engage in health risk behaviors that may lead to other disabling conditions. Health promotion programs and facilities should be disability accessible, and adults with mobility limitations should receive timely health behavior counseling.
Learning Objectives: Learning Objectives:
Keywords: Disability, Health Risks
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.