@article{article_1642347, title={DO DISABILITY TYPE AND SEVERITY AFFECT OBESITY AND MEAL CONSUMPTION IN INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES?}, journal={İnönü Üniversitesi Sağlık Hizmetleri Meslek Yüksek Okulu Dergisi}, volume={13}, pages={693–706}, year={2025}, DOI={10.33715/inonusaglik.1642347}, author={Özenir, Çiler and Nişancı Kılınç, Fatma and Çakır, Biriz and Ekici, Emine Merve}, keywords={Body mass index, Disabled adult, Meal consumption, Obesity, Waist Circumference}, abstract={The aim of this study was to determine obesity and meal consumption patterns among adults with different types and severity of disability. The study was conducted with 209 adults with disabilities attending special education and rehabilitation centers in Kırıkkale. Participants were assigned to three groups: individuals with mental, physical, or combined mental and physical disabilities. Body weight, height, waist circumference, and body fat percentage were measured, and body mass index (BMI) and waist-to-height ratio (WHR) were calculated. In addition, participants’ main and snack meal consumption habits were assessed. 56.9% of the participants had mental disabilities. 36.8% had a disability severity between 51–75%. While the body fat percentage differed significantly between groups based on disability type (p=0.035), both BMI and body fat percentage varied significantly according to disability severity (p=0.030; p=0.011). Obesity prevalence that was determined by WHR, was higher than other parameters in adults with disabilities. The proportion of adults with mental disabilities who consumed three main meals per day was higher than those with a physical disability (p=0.021). Eating habits play a key role in preventing and managing obesity in individuals with disabilities; therefore, public health policies should address their specific needs.}, number={3}, publisher={Inonu University}, organization={It was carried out under the coordination of the Kırıkkale Governorship, in partnership with the Provincial Directorate of National Education, within the scope of the project supported by the Ministry of Family and Social Policies Disabled Support Program (EDES).}