Obesity has already been declared an epidemic. More than 72 million people, which is more than one-third of adults, are obese in America. The demographic few talk about, however, are people with disabilities.
Staying fit is a rarely discussed challenge for disabled people, despite people with intellectual or learning disabilities and mobility limitations being the most prone to being overweight or obese.
For this piece, the conversation will be different. We’ll look at how weight gain affects people with disabilities, what factors contribute to their weight gain, and how it can be managed.
What Defines Being Overweight or Obese?
Overweight or obese are used to describe weight ranges greater than what is generally considered healthy for a given height. These terms also identify the ranges of weight that research has shown increases the likelihood of certain diseases and health problems.
Body Mass Index
The body mass index (BMI) calculates overweight and obesity ranges. This number typically correlates with a person’s amount of body fat.
For adults, a BMI between 25 and 29.9 indicates you’re overweight. A BMI of 30 and above is considered obese.
Among children, the CDC defines overweight as a BMI at or above the 85th percentile and lower than the 95th percentile on the CDC growth charts. Any child with a BMI at or above the 95th percentile is considered obese.
People with Disabilities
For people with disabilities, the standard methods for calculating a person’s ideal weight or BMI don’t always apply.
For instance, someone with a physical disability may weigh less than recommended for the general population. However, the person may not be underweight or overweight when the reduced muscle mass in the arms or legs is considered.
It is thus advisable to see a doctor or dietician to fully determine whether the weight is at the acceptable range given the underlying condition.
Waist circumference is often used to assess health risks based on weight. It measures the amount of fat carried around your middle and is at times used together with BMI.
Generally, a higher waist measurement indicates a higher health risk.
However, most doctors and dieticians don’t rely on it alone as it can provide inaccurate results. For instance, some patients with underlying medical conditions such as an enlarged abdomen will have a larger waist circumference but not necessarily a high BMI to make them obese or overweight.
In Australia, the NHS classifies waist circumference into 3 categories for men and women. There is “not at risk,” “increased risk,” and “substantially increased risk” of developing chronic conditions.
The NHS uses different cut-offs for men versus women. In most cases, those in “increased risk” and “substantially increased risk” categories are grouped under “increased risk” or “very high risk.”
Factors That Make People with Disabilities More Prone to Weight Gain
A few key factors contribute to higher obesity rates among disabled people.
Certain medications keep weight on, making it difficult for people with disabilities to lose weight. These medications include antipsychotics, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), and sedatives.
Genetics and the patient’s environment may also determine how much weight they gain from medication.
People with disabilities that affect their mobility often suffer from pain which hinders their physical activity. Achieving balance is difficult for most of them, and unanticipated weight shifts can be dangerous.
Therefore, going out to the gym, taking a walk, or even going out shopping at the grocery store can be a real challenge.
Poor Access to Equipment and Facilities
More needs to be done to make certain areas and equipment more accessible to disabled people.
For instance, a good mobility scooter can help a disabled person with physical pain perform a few physical exercises. However, poorly designed scooters can cause a fall and further damage to the person.
Most parks and gyms are also inaccessible to people with disabilities. For instance, some gyms are located on top floors that can only be accessed via the stairs. The elevator or lifts may also not be friendly to the disabled.
Disabled people can have trouble cooking which makes maintaining a healthy diet difficult. Silverware, glasses, and plates usually rest in cupboards and different places at different heights around the kitchen. Accessing them becomes rather difficult.
Most grocery stores also don’t cater to disabled customers. Those experiencing physical pain may need some places to sit down as they do their shopping.
With such facilities missing and accessibility within the kitchen being a challenge, take-outs are the safest option for the disabled. However, they are not healthy.
There’s a strong link between being overweight or obese and decreased income or deprivation within the general population. In the Health Survey of England, the study revealed that 39% of women in the second-lowest household income were obese compared to 17% in the highest-income households.
However, this effect was not seen in men.
18% of the children from low-income households were also obese compared to 9% in the highest-income households.
Disability affects a person’s income. Having a disability of any kind can make you or your family more prone to living in poverty, which can counterintuitively make you more prone to obesity.
Underlying Health Problems
Studies have found links between certain underlying conditions or syndromes and increased risk of obesity.
One study shows that individuals with Down Syndrome (DS) have an increased risk of obesity. They also have an increased prevalence of diabetes, increased risk of cardiovascular disease, and poorer serum lipids1.
This affects both children and adults, with DS patients having more body fat than others.
Other factors such as lower metabolic rate, delayed development, lower muscle tone, which affects physical activity, and endocrine problems such as hypothyroidism make Down Syndrome patients more likely to gain weight.
On the other hand, Prader-Willi Syndrome (PWS) leaves individuals with an overwhelming desire to eat or a constant feeling of hunger. This rare genetic condition is often challenging for carers and parents to manage.
Moreover, children and adults with PWS have a reduced muscle tone, a shorter stature, and behavioral problems that make sticking to a healthy diet difficult. This makes them more prone to obesity and other underlying conditions.
How to Bring Up the Conversation
It can be challenging bringing up a weight conversation with someone you’re taking care of. You don’t want to come across as fat shaming.
Moreover, people with learning disabilities have varying degrees of ability, comprehension, and support. Some may be unable to cook, have no control over their shopping habits, may not live near food shops, or may have limited access to kitchen equipment.
It would be best to be very practical when bringing up the conversation and formulating a plan.
The critical thing is making them understand the health risks of being overweight or, in some cases, underweight. This conversation should also be had with any caregivers or support workers. This will allow them to make lifestyle changes necessary to manage weight gain.
Moreover, you need to ensure that the conversation and plan you formulate are within your rights, especially as a caregiver.
Most people with disabilities are protected by laws that give them decision autonomy, not unless, following an assessment, they have been judged to be incapable of making decisions.
The caregiver or parents should also be aware of proper dietary or physical exercise habits that would help weight loss for the disabled person. That would make the entire exercise productive and effective.
Setting goals will go a long way in making yourself or the person with a disability more comfortable and more prepared to tackle the lifestyle changes needed to manage weight gain.
People with learning disabilities, for instance, have a challenge communicating or learning new skills. Start by discussing the weight management goals with the individual.
You can use resources such as “easy read” leaflets on diet and exercise for people with learning disabilities to pass the information more effectively.
When setting goals, ensure you’re realistic about what you want to achieve. Sometimes, preventing further weight gain may be the more realistic goal than weight loss. Your environment will also play a massive role in setting these goals.
Ways to Manage Weight Gain
It is critical to start managing your weight gain to see any tangible results. The following are a few things you can do.
This cliché advice still works effectively. However, for people with disabilities, the approach is slightly different.
Plan your meals a week in advance, with the support of a caregiver. If the disabled person is mentally or intellectually challenged, plan for them or with a caregiver or support worker.
You can even use pictures if reading is a problem.
Focus also on the snacks eaten between meals. Go for healthier choices such as fruit instead of biscuits or sugar-free squash instead of sugary drinks.
If take-outs are the most common option, try making healthy choices from the menu. You can seek help from the staff to get healthier meals to eat.
Also, take note of your portion size, or ask the support worker or caregiver to encourage smaller portions at mealtimes. You can have a half-plate-full of vegetables or salads at mealtimes.
A dietician or general practitioner may also advise on the best foods to take based on medication.
Annual Health Checks
You can have a general practitioner check for any medical issues causing the weight gain. They may recommend different medications if the ones prescribed affect your weight.
You can have a person with learning disabilities registered on the GP’s learning disability register in Britain. Registered learning disability patients get annual health checks where weight issues are discussed.
Physical exercise is vital in managing weight. For overweight individuals, physical exercise helps burn calories. For underweight individuals, physical exercise stimulates appetite that helps in weight gain.
Start participating in physical activities that you enjoy and fit your routine. If you need help or the person you’re taking care of needs help, make sure you’re available for support and ensure that the physical exercises are done.
Mobile adults aged 19 to 64 should be active every day, with at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity. These activities can be cycling or fast walking. It is advised that you follow this regime for at least 5 days a week.
For the disabled, these activities can be broken down into smaller, manageable chunks. For instance, you can have three short 10-minute walks to cover the 30-minute quota for the day.
In Britain, organizations such as Special Olympics Great Britain give people with learning disabilities opportunities to get involved in sports and live a healthier lifestyle. In the US, the Special Olympics offers many ways for those to get involved.
A weight loss surgery can effectively manage weight gain in people with disabilities, especially if other weight loss regimes have failed. Research shows that excess weight loss from the procedure ranges from 12% to 86%2.
Moreover, bariatric surgery offers extended benefits such as improved quality of life, resolution of certain morbidities such as Type II diabetes, hypertension, sleep apnea, respiratory distress, and reduced psychological tension within the family.
You can get various forms of bariatric surgery, ranging from gastric bypass to gastric sleeve, each with its benefits and reasons for recommendation over the other. The best thing to do is get in touch with a bariatric surgeon who’ll advise you on the way forward.
Possibility of Being Underweight
Most people with disabilities will experience weight gain. However, some people with disabilities will suffer from unexpected weight loss.
Contributing Factors To Weight Loss
These are some factors that contribute to weight loss among people with disabilities.
- Particular medical conditions that affect the body’s metabolism
- Reduced muscle mass
- The person becoming more active
- Difficulty eating and swallowing
- Medications that decrease appetite
- Dependence on caregivers and family members to provide food
- Eating habits affected by anxiety, depression, or frustration
- Poor knowledge of weight management and nutrition.
Weight Management Is Possible for the Disabled
Being overweight or obese is a mountain to climb for the disabled. However, weight management is still possible. You need to have a candid conversation about it and employ practical methods to achieve the desired weight loss.
Unene wa kupita kiasi tayari umetangazwa kuwa janga. Zaidi ya watu milioni 72, ambayo ni zaidi ya theluthi moja ya watu wazima, ni wanene sana nchini Marekani. Hata hivyo, watu wenye ulemavu ndio watu wachache wanaozungumziwa. Kuendelea kuwa na afya ni changamoto ambayo haijazungumziwa sana kwa watu wenye ulemavu, licha ya watu wenye ulemavu wa akili au wa kujifunza na mapungufu ya mwendo kuwa na uwezekano mkubwa wa kuwa na uzito wa ziada au kunenepa kupita kiasi. Kwa kipande hiki, mazungumzo yatakuwa tofauti. Tutaangalia jinsi kuongezeka kwa uzito kunavyowaathiri watu wenye ulemavu, ni mambo gani yanayochangia kuongezeka kwa uzito wao, na jinsi inavyoweza kudhibitiwa. Ni Nini Kinachomaanisha Kuwa na Uzito Zaidi au Kuwa na Uzito? Uzito wa ziada au unene kupita kiasi hutumiwa kuelezea vipimo vya uzito zaidi ya kile kinachochukuliwa kuwa cha afya kwa urefu fulani. "Hata hivyo, kuna utafiti unaoonyesha kwamba ""kiwango cha uzito"" kinaweza kuongeza uwezekano wa kupata magonjwa fulani na matatizo ya afya." Kiwango cha mwili (BMI) ni kiwango cha mwili ambacho kinahesabu uzito wa kupita kiasi na unene. Nambari hii kwa kawaida inahusiana na kiasi cha mafuta ya mwili wa mtu. Kwa watu wazima, BMI kati ya 25 na 29.9 inaonyesha kuwa una uzito kupita kiasi. BMI ya 30 au zaidi huonwa kuwa ni overweight. Kwa watoto, CDC hufafanua overweight kama BMI ya juu au juu ya asilimia 85 na chini ya asilimia 95 kwenye chati za ukuaji wa CDC. Kwa mfano, mtoto mwenye BMI ya asilimia 95 au zaidi huonwa kuwa mnene kupita kiasi. Watu wenye ulemavu Kwa watu wenye ulemavu, mbinu za kawaida za kuhesabu uzito bora wa mtu au BMI hazitumiki kila wakati. Kwa mfano, mtu mwenye ulemavu wa kimwili aweza kuwa na uzito mdogo kuliko unaopendekezwa kwa watu wa kawaida. Hata hivyo, mtu huyo anaweza kuwa na uzito mdogo au kupita kiasi anapochunguza kiasi cha misuli iliyopungua katika mikono au miguu. Kwa hiyo, ni vyema kumwona daktari au mtaalamu wa lishe ili kujua ikiwa uzito wako uko katika kiwango kinachoweza kukubaliwa kwa sababu ya hali hiyo. Mara nyingi kiunoni hutumiwa kutathmini hatari za kiafya kulingana na uzito. Inapima kiasi cha mafuta katika kiuno na mara nyingi hutumiwa pamoja na BMI. Kwa kawaida, kipimo cha juu cha kiuno huonyesha hatari kubwa ya afya. Hata hivyo, madaktari wengi na wataalamu wa lishe hawaamini juu yake peke yake kwani inaweza kutoa matokeo yasiyo sahihi. Kwa mfano, baadhi ya wagonjwa wenye hali ya msingi ya matibabu kama vile tumbo lililoongezwa watakuwa na mduara mkubwa wa kiuno lakini sio lazima BMI ya juu kuwafanya kuwa wanene kupita kiasi au uzito. Katika Australia, NHS imegawanya mzunguko wa kiuno katika makundi matatu kwa wanaume na wanawake. Kuna <unk>not katika hatari,<unk> <unk> increased hatari,<unk> na <unk>substantially increased hatari<unk> ya kuendeleza hali ya muda mrefu. NHS hutumia cut-offs tofauti kwa wanaume dhidi ya wanawake. Katika visa vingi, wale katika <unk> increased risk<unk> na <unk> substantially increased risk<unk> makundi ni makundi chini ya <unk> increased risk<unk> au <unk> very high risk<unk> Mambo ambayo kufanya watu wenye ulemavu zaidi prone kwa uzito Gain Mambo machache muhimu kuchangia viwango vya juu ya unene wa mwili miongoni mwa watu wenye ulemavu. Dawa fulani huongeza uzito, na hivyo kuwa vigumu kwa watu wenye ulemavu kupunguza uzito. Dawa hizo zinatia ndani dawa za kuzuia ugonjwa wa akili, dawa za kuzuia kuingizwa tena kwa serotonini (SSRI), na dawa za kutuliza. Urithi na mazingira ya mgonjwa yanaweza pia kuamua uzito wanaopata kutokana na dawa. Watu wenye ulemavu ambao huathiri mwendo wao mara nyingi hupatwa na maumivu ambayo huzuia shughuli zao za kimwili. Ni vigumu kwa wengi wao kupata usawaziko, na mabadiliko ya uzito yasiyotarajiwa yaweza kuwa hatari. Kwa hiyo, kwenda kwenye mazoezi, kutembea, au hata kwenda kununua vitu dukani kunaweza kuwa jambo gumu sana. Upatikanaji mbaya wa vifaa na vifaa Kuna haja ya kufanya zaidi ili kufanya maeneo fulani na vifaa kuwa rahisi kwa walemavu. Kwa mfano, pikipiki nzuri ya kusonga inaweza kumsaidia mtu mlemavu aliye na maumivu ya kimwili kufanya mazoezi machache ya kimwili. Hata hivyo, pikipiki zisizobuniwa vizuri zaweza kusababisha mtu kuanguka na kuumia zaidi. Hifadhi nyingi na vituo vya mazoezi ya mwili pia haviwezi kufikiwa na watu wenye ulemavu. Kwa mfano, mazoezi fulani ya mwili yapo kwenye orofa za juu ambazo zinaweza kufikiwa tu kupitia ngazi. Huenda lifti au lifti zisikuwa za kirafiki kwa walemavu. Watu wenye ulemavu wanaweza kuwa na matatizo ya kupika ambayo hufanya kudumisha lishe yenye afya kuwa ngumu. Vyombo vya fedha, glasi, na sahani kwa kawaida huwekwa katika kabati na mahali pengine palipoinuka kwa urefu tofauti-tofauti kuzunguka jikoni. Ni vigumu sana kupata habari hizo. Maduka mengi ya vyakula pia hayatumiki kwa wateja wenye ulemavu. Wale wanaopata maumivu ya kimwili huenda wakahitaji mahali pa kuketi wanapofanya ununuzi wao. Kwa kuwa vifaa hivyo havipo na kupatikana ndani ya jikoni ni changamoto, vyakula vya kuchukua ni chaguo salama zaidi kwa walemavu. Hata hivyo, si afya nzuri. Kuna uhusiano mkubwa kati ya kuwa na uzito wa ziada au kunenepa kupita kiasi na kupungua kwa mapato au ukosefu ndani ya idadi ya watu kwa ujumla. Uchunguzi wa afya wa Uingereza ulionyesha kuwa 39% ya wanawake katika familia za pili za chini walikuwa wanene kuliko 17% katika familia za juu. Hata hivyo, athari hii haikuonekana kwa wanaume. Watoto 18 kutoka familia zenye mapato ya chini walikuwa na uzito wa juu, ikilinganishwa na 9% kutoka familia zenye mapato ya juu. Ulemavu huathiri mapato ya mtu. Kuwa na ulemavu wa aina yoyote inaweza kufanya wewe au familia yako zaidi ya kukabiliwa na kuishi katika umaskini, ambayo inaweza counterintuitively kufanya wewe zaidi ya kukabiliwa na unene. Matatizo ya Afya ya Msingi Uchunguzi umepata uhusiano kati ya hali fulani za msingi au syndromes na kuongezeka kwa hatari ya unene kupita kiasi. Utafiti mmoja unaonyesha kwamba watu wenye ugonjwa wa Down syndrome (DS) wana hatari kubwa ya kuwa wanene kupita kiasi. Pia wana ongezeko la ugonjwa wa kisukari, hatari ya kuongezeka kwa ugonjwa wa moyo, na lipids duni ya seramu1. Hii huathiri watoto na watu wazima, na wagonjwa wa DS wana mafuta zaidi mwilini kuliko wengine. Vitu vingine kama vile kiwango cha chini cha kimetaboliki, maendeleo ya kucheleweshwa, tone ya misuli ya chini, ambayo huathiri shughuli za mwili, na matatizo ya endocrine kama vile hypothyroidism hufanya wagonjwa wa Down Syndrome uwezekano mkubwa wa kupata uzito. Kwa upande mwingine, ugonjwa wa Prader-Willi (PWS) huwafanya watu wawe na hamu kubwa ya kula au hisia ya njaa daima. Mara nyingi ni vigumu kwa watunzaji na wazazi kushughulikia ugonjwa huu usio wa kawaida wa urithi. Zaidi ya hayo, watoto na watu wazima walio na ugonjwa huo wana misuli midogo, kimo kidogo, na matatizo ya tabia ambayo hufanya iwe vigumu kufuata lishe yenye afya. Hilo huwafanya wawe na mwelekeo mkubwa zaidi wa kuwa wanene kupita kiasi na magonjwa mengine. Jinsi ya Kuzungumzia Suala la Uzito Inaweza Kuwa vigumu kuzungumzia jambo hilo na mtu unayemtunza. Hutaki kuonekana kuwa mtu mwenye aibu kwa sababu ya kuwa mnene. Isitoshe, watu wenye matatizo ya kujifunza wana uwezo, uelewevu, na utegemezo mbalimbali. Huenda wengine hawawezi kupika, hawawezi kudhibiti tabia zao za kununua, hawawezi kuishi karibu na maduka ya vyakula, au huenda wakawa na vifaa vichache vya jikoni. Ni afadhali kuwa na mtazamo wa vitendo unapozungumzia jambo hilo na kupanga mpango. Jambo muhimu ni kuwafanya waelewe hatari za afya za kuwa na uzito kupita kiasi au, katika visa fulani, uzito mdogo. Mazungumzo haya yanapaswa pia kufanywa na watunzaji au wafanyakazi wa msaada. Hii itawawezesha kufanya mabadiliko ya mtindo wa maisha muhimu ili kusimamia kuongezeka kwa uzito. Zaidi ya hayo, unahitaji kuhakikisha kwamba mazungumzo na mpango unaofanya ni ndani ya haki zako, hasa kama mtoa huduma. Watu wengi wenye ulemavu wanalindwa na sheria ambazo huwapa uhuru wa kuamua, isipokuwa, baada ya tathmini, wameamua kuwa hawawezi kufanya maamuzi. Mtoa huduma au wazazi wanapaswa pia kuwa na ufahamu wa tabia sahihi za lishe au mazoezi ya kimwili ambayo yangesaidia kupoteza uzito kwa mtu mlemavu. Hilo lingefanya zoezi lote liwe lenye matokeo na lenye matokeo. Kuweka malengo itakuwa njia ndefu katika kufanya wewe mwenyewe au mtu mwenye ulemavu kuwa vizuri zaidi na tayari zaidi kushughulikia mabadiliko ya mtindo wa maisha yanayohitajika kusimamia kuongezeka kwa uzito. Kwa mfano, watu wenye matatizo ya kujifunza wanapata ugumu wa kuwasiliana au kujifunza ustadi mpya. Anza kwa kuzungumzia malengo ya kupunguza uzito pamoja na mtu huyo. Unaweza kutumia rasilimali kama vile "kurasa rahisi kusoma" vijitabu juu ya mlo na mazoezi kwa watu wenye ulemavu wa kujifunza kupitisha habari kwa ufanisi zaidi. Unapoweka miradi, hakikisha kwamba unafikiria kwa njia halisi kile unachotaka kufikia. Nyakati nyingine, kuzuia kuongezeka kwa uzito kunaweza kuwa mradi wenye kutegemeka zaidi kuliko kupunguza uzito. Mazingira yako pia yatakuwa na jukumu kubwa katika kuweka malengo haya. Njia za kudhibiti uzito ni muhimu kuanza kudhibiti uzito wako ili kuona matokeo yoyote. Yafuatayo ni mambo machache unayoweza kufanya. Ushauri huo wa kawaida bado una matokeo mazuri. Hata hivyo, kwa watu wenye ulemavu, mbinu ni tofauti kidogo. Panga chakula chako wiki moja mapema, kwa msaada wa mtoa huduma. Ikiwa mtu mwenye ulemavu ana matatizo ya akili au kiakili, mpango kwa ajili yao au na mtoa huduma au mfanyakazi wa msaada. Unaweza hata kutumia picha ikiwa kusoma ni tatizo. Pia angalia vitu unavyokula kati ya chakula. Chagua vyakula vyenye afya kama vile matunda badala ya biskuti au squash isiyo na sukari badala ya vinywaji vyenye sukari. Ikiwa vyakula vinavyopelekwa nje ndiyo chaguo la kawaida, jaribu kuchagua vyakula vyenye afya kutoka kwenye orodha ya vyakula. Unaweza kutafuta msaada kutoka kwa wafanyakazi ili upate chakula chenye afya zaidi. Pia, angalia kiasi cha chakula unachokula, au mwombe msaidizi au mtoa huduma akusaidie kula kiasi kidogo wakati wa chakula. Unaweza kula nusu sahani iliyojaa mboga au saladi wakati wa chakula. Daktari wa lishe au daktari wa jumla anaweza pia kutoa ushauri kuhusu vyakula bora vya kula kulingana na dawa. Uchunguzi wa afya wa kila mwaka: Unaweza kuwa na daktari wa jumla kuangalia kwa ajili ya matatizo yoyote ya matibabu kusababisha uzito. Wanaweza kupendekeza dawa tofauti ikiwa zile zilizopendekezwa zinaathiri uzito wako. Mtu mwenye ulemavu wa kujifunza anaweza kusajiliwa kwenye orodha ya ulemavu wa kujifunza ya GP. Wagonjwa walio na ulemavu wa kujifunza wanafanyiwa uchunguzi wa afya kila mwaka ambapo masuala ya uzito huzungumziwa. Mazoezi ya kimwili ni muhimu katika kudhibiti uzito. Kwa watu wenye uzito kupita kiasi, mazoezi ya mwili husaidia kuchoma kalori. Kwa watu wenye uzito mdogo, mazoezi ya mwili huchochea hamu ya kula ambayo husaidia kuongeza uzito. Anza kushiriki katika shughuli za kimwili unazopenda na zinazolingana na utaratibu wako. Ikiwa unahitaji msaada au mtu unayemtunza anahitaji msaada, hakikisha unapatikana kwa msaada na hakikisha mazoezi ya mwili yanafanywa. Watu wazima wenye umri wa miaka 19 hadi 64 wanapaswa kuwa na shughuli za kila siku, na angalau dakika 30 za shughuli za aerobic za kiwango cha wastani. Shughuli hizo zaweza kuwa kuendesha baiskeli au kutembea kwa kasi. Inashauriwa kufuata utaratibu huu kwa angalau siku tano kwa wiki. Kwa watu wenye ulemavu, shughuli hizo zaweza kugawanywa katika sehemu ndogo-ndogo zinazoweza kusimamiwa. Kwa mfano, unaweza kufanya matembezi matatu mafupi ya dakika 10 ili kukamilisha muda wa dakika 30 unaotakiwa kwa siku. Shirika la Special Olympics Great Britain linatoa fursa kwa watu wenye matatizo ya kujifunza kushiriki katika michezo na kuishi maisha ya afya. Katika michezo ya Olimpiki ya pekee, kuna njia nyingi za kushiriki. Upasuaji wa kupoteza uzito unaweza kusimamia kwa ufanisi kuongezeka kwa uzito kwa watu wenye ulemavu, haswa ikiwa mifumo mingine ya kupoteza uzito imeshindwa. Utafiti unaonyesha kwamba kupoteza uzito kwa njia hii huanzia asilimia 12 hadi 86 ya uzito. Upasuaji wa uzito wa mwili (Bariatric surgery) pia hutoa faida nyingi kama vile kuboresha ubora wa maisha, kutatua magonjwa fulani kama vile ugonjwa wa kisukari wa Aina ya 2, shinikizo la damu, apnea ya usingizi, shida ya kupumua, na kupunguza mkazo wa kisaikolojia ndani ya familia. Kuna aina mbalimbali za upasuaji wa tumbo, kuanzia upasuaji wa tumbo la tumbo hadi upasuaji wa tumbo la tumbo, kila mmoja akiwa na faida zake na sababu za kupendekeza mwingine. Jambo bora la kufanya ni kuwasiliana na daktari wa upasuaji wa uzito ambaye atakupendekeza juu ya njia ya kuendelea. Uwezekano wa Kuwa na Uzito wa Chini Watu wengi wenye ulemavu watapata ongezeko la uzito. Hata hivyo, watu fulani wenye ulemavu watapata upungufu wa uzito usiotazamiwa. Sababu za Kupunguza Uzito Hizi ni baadhi ya sababu zinazochangia kupungua kwa uzito miongoni mwa watu wenye ulemavu. - Hali maalum za matibabu ambazo huathiri kimetaboliki ya mwili - Kupungua kwa misuli - Mtu kuwa hai zaidi - Ugumu wa kula na kumeza - Dawa ambazo hupunguza hamu ya kula - Kutegemea watunzaji na wanafamilia kutoa chakula - Mazoea ya kula yanayoathiriwa na wasiwasi, unyogovu, au kukata tamaa - Ujuzi duni wa usimamizi wa uzito na lishe. Uwezo wa kudhibiti uzito waweza kufanywa kwa walemavu Kuwa na uzito wa kupita kiasi au kuwa mnene kupita kiasi ni mlima wa kupanda kwa walemavu. Hata hivyo, bado inawezekana kudhibiti uzito. Unahitaji kuwa na mazungumzo ya uwazi kuhusu hilo na kutumia mbinu za vitendo ili kufikia kupoteza uzito unaotaka.