Abstract 12561: Dietary and Lifestyle Behaviors Among Women of Reproductive Age by Disability Status

Abstract

Introduction: In the United States (U.S.), 18% of women age 18-44 years report at least one physical, sensory, or cognitive disability. Compared to the general population, women with disabilities are more likely to have multiple comorbidities and experience adverse pregnancy outcomes. Diet and physical activity are important and modifiable lifestyle behaviors for women’s preconception and long-term health, as well as the health of their offspring. This study examined diet quality, physical activity, and related lifestyle factors among women of reproductive age by disability status and disability type. Hypothesis: Diet quality, physical activity, and other lifestyle factors will differ across disability status. Methods: Data were from the U.S. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2013-2018 (n=3,409). Disability status was determined by the Washington Group on Disability Statistics questions regarding difficulty hearing, seeing, concentrating, walking, dressing, or running errands alone. Diet quality was evaluated using the Healthy Eating Index (HEI) 2015, with higher scores indicating better diet quality. Self-reported physical activity, food security, and fast food and ready-to-eat food consumption were also assessed. Chi-square tests and generalized linear regression evaluated differences across disability status and disability type. Results: Compared to women with no disabilities, women with any self-reported disabilities had lower HEI-2015 scores (46.8 and 50.5, respectively; p<0.05), were more likely to report low/very low food security (48% and 18%, respectively; p<0.05), and were less likely to report meeting physical activity recommendations of ≥150 minutes/week of moderate/vigorous activities (27% and 43%, respectively; p<0.05). Differences were also observed by disability type, such that women with self-reported vision difficulty consume more fast food meals in one week compared to women with no disabilities. Conclusions: Women of reproductive age with disabilities report lower diet quality, food security, and physical activity. Future research should focus on identifying and improving modifiable lifestyle behaviors among this population to reduce disparities in maternal and child health outcomes.