Activity/participation limitation and weight loss among overweight and obese US adults: 1999 to 2002 NHANES.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the prevalence and association of activity/participation limitation with trying to lose weight and weight loss practices (eating fewer calories, physical activity, or both) among overweight and obese adults in the United States.


METHODS
Eligible adults were 20 years of age or older with a body mass index (BMI) >or= 25 kg/m(2) (n = 5608) who responded to standard physical functioning questions included in the 1999-2002 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, a continuous survey of the civilian non-institutionalized US population.


RESULTS
Obese (BMI >or= 30) men with vs. without activity/participation limitations were more likely to try to lose weight (OR = 1.59, 95% CI 1.05-2.41). This was not the case for overweight women and men (BMI 25-29.9), or obese women. Among adults trying to lose weight, reducing calorie consumption was common (63%-73%, men, 67%-76%, women). Overweight women with vs without activity/participation limitations had significantly reduced likelihood of attaining recommended physical activity (OR = 0.56, 95% CI 0.36-0.89). Obese adults were more likely to try to lose weight if they attributed their limitation to body weight (OR = 1.78, 95% CI 1.11-2.88) or diabetes (OR = 1.86, 95% CI 1.01-3.43) compared to other causes. Overweight and obese adults who attributed activity/participation limitations to mental health, musculoskeletal, or cardiovascular problems were equally likely to attempt weight loss when respondents with each condition were compared to respondents without the condition.


CONCLUSIONS
These results verify the importance of adequate subjective health assessment when developing individual weight loss plans, and may help guide weight management professionals in the development and delivery of more personalized care.
Bish
Connie L
CL
Division of Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.
Blanck
Heidi Michels
HM
Maynard
L Michele
LM
Serdula
Mary K
MK
Thompson
Nancy J
NJ
Khan
Laura Kettel
LK
D000328:Adult; D006233:Persons with Disabilities; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009043:Motor Activity; D009765:Obesity / Q000628:therapy; D050177:Overweight / Q000628:therapy*; D014481:United States; D015431:Weight Loss