Relationship between Physical Activity and Prevalence of Obesity and Overweight in Disables and Veterans

One of the leading risk factors for various diseases is obesity, a nutritional burden and an independent factor which increases mortality. Disables and Veterans have low levels of physical activity, owing to physical deficiency, and this is associated with increased risk of obesity in them. The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between physical activity and prevalence of obesity and overweight in disables and veterans. In a descriptive cross-sectional study, 83 volunteer disables and veterans were selected and at the beginning of the study, in addition to characterize form of disability, anthropometrical data determined by calipers then participants were divided into 3 groups according to completion of questionnaires and levels of physical activity: athlete disables (n: 19), active disables (n: 42), inactive disables (n: 22). Comparison of fat mass in 3 groups showed that athlete disables had least fat mass compared to other groups (P≤0.05). According to the findings, more than half of the study population was obese and overweight, however inactive disables and veterans had excessive fat mass compared to other disables. The main reason is sedentary life style but, additional attention to an intervention in order to improve the health recommendations and diet is necessary.