CDC: nearly half of adults with disabilities physically inactive

May 13 2014

Procrastination is something many of us in the Denver area struggle with at times. We put off until tomorrow the things we know we should do today. One of the things many people put off is getting exercise. We know we should exercise regularly, but we find reasons for pushing physical activity off until tomorrow, and then we procrastinate again the next day and the next.

Researchers at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention say that nearly half of all adults with disabilities are not getting any aerobic exercise. The findings are disturbing, they said, because adults with disabilities are 50 percent more likely than the general population to have a chronic condition such as heart disease, arthritis, diabetes or cancer. 

The CDC said in its Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report that 47 percent of adults ages 18 to 64 with disabilities don’t get aerobic exercise. In addition, 22 percent of that population gets some exercise, but not a sufficient amount.

The statistics are based on interviews with more than 10,000 adults with disabilities as part of the 2009 to 2012 National Health Interview Survey.

How much physical activity is considered adequate? The CDC says that adults should get about two and one half hours per week of moderately intense exercise.

Researchers conceded that adults with disabilities often have challenges finding ways to get exercise, including accessibility difficulties, finding appropriate fitness regimens and finding professionals with knowledge of suitable exercise for people with disabilities.

For those unable to work because of a disability, it can be a challenge not only to get exercise, but to obtain needed financial assistance from SSDI. Talk to an experienced Social Security Disability Insurance attorney about the complex approval and appeals process. 

Source: Disability Scoop, “CDC: 1 In 2 With Disabilities Physically Inactive,” Michelle Diament, May 7, 2014