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Title: Trends in Obesity Among Social Security Disability Insurance Applicants, 2005-2013
Citation Type: Conference Paper
Publication Year: 2014
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Abstract: One factor that could potentially contribute to growth in disability applications is the increasing prevalence of obesity in the United States, because obesity is known to contribute to the incidence and severity of chronic health conditions and functional impairments. Between 2000 and 2013, obesity among working-age adults in the US increased by more than 33 percent, with an offsetting decline in the proportion of the population considered to be normal weight. Obesity is known to contribute in important ways to chronic health conditions such as heart disease, hypertension, stroke, gallbladder issues, sleep apnea and adult-onset (Type II) diabetes (National Institutes of Health 2012; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 2013). In addition to causing chronic conditions, obesity can also exacerbate existing health problems, potentially leading to more severe impairments than with the condition alone. Earlier work has demonstrated a connection between rising obesity rates and the prevalence of disability in both younger and older populations (Sturm et al. 2004; Lakdawalla et al. 2004; Capodaglio et al. 2010). Moreover, obesity has been shown to reduce the likelihood of employment (Morris 2007; Tunceli et al. 2012). Decreased employment could be the result of functional impairments, reduced capacity for job requirements, or discrimination from employers and coworkers.
Url: http://www.nber.org/aging/drc/10312014drcmeeting/3.1Summary.pdf
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Authors: Hyde, Jody S.; Mastrianni, Joseph; Song, Jae; Choi, Yong
Conference Name: 2nd Annual Meeting of the Disability Research Consortium
Publisher Location: Washington, D.C.
Data Collections: IPUMS Health Surveys - NHIS
Topics: Health, Other
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