Analysis of Social Factors in the Prevalence of Obesity among Women with Disabilities

Background: The relationship between obesity and disability has been documented in several studies, but the impact of social factor on the incidence of this disease has not been sufficiently analysed. Objective / Hypothesis: The aim of this paper is to analyse the impact of social factors on the prevalence of obesity among women with disability in Spain, with evident effect it has on their health status and quality of life. Methods: By a logistic regression, we analyse the effects of social factors in the prevalence of obesity among women with disabilities. The study is based on a sample of 220 questionnaires of women with some physical, sensorial or intellectual disability. Results: The estimated coefficients of the model indicate that the social factors related to the family and social assistance have a significant effect on the prevalence of obesity among women with disabilities. Finally, the model rejects the significance of these factors: degree of disability, area of residence, type of disability and working status. Conclusions: There is a statistically significant relationship between the prevalence of obesity and a set of social factors not directly related with matters of metabolism, alimentary habits, or physical activity. The results suggest that a family environment which women with disabilities consider positive and in which they feel integrated and supported contributes towards reducing the rate of obesity problems, with the consequent reductions in risk of other cardiovascular, musculoskeletal or metabolic disorders. Also, there is a pronounced positive relationship between overweight and social assistance received.