The prevalence of functional limitations and disability in older persons in the US: data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey III.
OBJECTIVE
To provide estimates by sex and age and by sex and race/ethnicity of the proportion of older Americans who have difficulty with functional limitations and daily activities.


METHODS
The Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III) 1988-1994.


METHODS
A cross-sectional nationally representative survey.


METHODS
All persons aged 60 and older who completed a household interview (N = 6,866) during NHANES III (conducted 1988-1994).


METHODS
The self-reported physical and functional disability questions from NHANES III included: lower-extremity function, instrumental activities of daily living, basic activities of daily living, needing help with personal and routine daily activities, and use of assistive devices for walking.


RESULTS
Non-Hispanic black and Mexican-American men and women generally reported significantly (P < .01) more disability than did non-Hispanic white men and women. Disability was greater for minority women than for men. For both men and women, the prevalence in disability increased significantly (P < .01) with age for each measure.


CONCLUSIONS
These sex-age and sex-race/ethnicity national estimates of disability indicate that minority women may represent a vulnerable subpopulation.
Ostchega
Y
Y
Division of Health Examination Statistics, National Center for Health Statistics, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Hyattsville, Maryland 20782, USA.
Harris
T B
TB
Hirsch
R
R
Parsons
V L
VL
Kington
R
R
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D006233:Persons with Disabilities / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020380:Needs Assessment; D009749:Nutrition Surveys; D011159:Population Surveillance; D015995:Prevalence; D044469:Racial Groups; D017678:Sex Distribution; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States