FITNESS & INCLUSION: TACKLING OBESITY IN THE DISABILITY COMMUNITY

When most people think about health and fitness, they think about access and opportunity. But for many individuals with disabilities, those opportunities are limited — and that limitation shows up in the data.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, adults with disabilities are more likely to experience obesity than adults without disabilities. In fact, some studies estimate that obesity rates are nearly 60 percent higher in the disability community. For children with disabilities, the gap is just as concerning.

These numbers do not reflect personal choices or motivation. They reflect systemic barriers that have kept far too many people from accessing the same resources, environments, and support that others take for granted.
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The good news is that these barriers can be broken down, and fitness can play a powerful role in doing just that.

UNDERSTANDING THE BARRIERS

Limited Access to Inclusive Fitness Spaces: Most gyms are not designed for people with disabilities. Narrow walkways, non-adjustable machines, and overstimulating environments can make fitness spaces physically or emotionally inaccessible. Even when equipment is available, staff often lack training on how to adapt exercises for different abilities. This lack of access sends a discouraging message: “This space is not built for you.” That message alone can keep someone from even trying to participate.

Transportation and Financial Challenges: Getting to a gym, recreation center, or community program can be difficult for individuals who rely on specialized transportation or live in areas without accessible options. Adaptive programs also tend to cost more because of specialized staffing, limiting access for families on fixed incomes or state funding.

Fewer Community and School-Based Opportunities: Physical education programs for students with disabilities are often underfunded or underdeveloped. Many children with disabilities miss out on early exposure to movement, teamwork, and physical activity. Without these experiences, exercise can feel intimidating or unfamiliar in adulthood.

Medication and Health Factors: Certain medications and health conditions can affect metabolism, appetite, and energy levels. When combined with limited access to exercise and healthy food, these factors make weight management even more challenging.

Lack of Representation and Education: The fitness industry rarely represents people with disabilities in its marketing, programming, or education. This creates a visibility gap and reinforces the idea that fitness is only for a specific type of body. Trainers often leave school or certification programs without any experience working with special populations, which perpetuates the problem.

HOW FITNESS CAN HELP

The role of fitness is not just to change bodies — it is to build confidence, improve function, and increase quality of life. When done right, fitness becomes a bridge to independence, health, and community connection.

Focus on Functional Movement: For many clients, fitness is not about weight loss. It is about being able to complete everyday tasks with greater ease and independence. Training programs that emphasize functional movement help individuals strengthen the muscles they use in daily life. That might mean getting in and out of a chair, carrying groceries, or maintaining balance while walking.

Create Sensory-Friendly and Supportive Environments: Lighting, noise, and crowding can make traditional gyms overwhelming. Creating sensory-friendly training spaces helps clients feel safe and comfortable, which increases participation and consistency. When the environment feels welcoming, people show up more often — and that consistency is what drives long-term results.

Prioritize Education and Empowerment: Fitness should empower clients to understand their own bodies. Teaching proper movement patterns, goal-setting, and self-advocacy helps individuals take ownership of their health journey. That education builds confidence that carries into every area of life.

Build Community and Belonging: Social support is one of the strongest predictors of success in any health program. Group classes, adaptive sports, and inclusive community events create connection and accountability. When people see others like them participating in fitness, it becomes normalized — and that changes everything.

Advocate for Accessibility at Every Level: The solution is bigger than one gym or one trainer. It requires collective effort from schools, policymakers, health systems, and fitness professionals. We need more funding for adaptive PE, more inclusive program design, and more professional education about training individuals with disabilities.

At Specialty Athletic Training, we work exclusively with the disability community, and we see every day how movement transforms lives. We have trained hundreds of clients across Oregon and Washington, and the outcomes go far beyond physical changes.

Clients gain independence, confidence, and self-esteem. They discover new abilities they did not know they had. Families see improvements in mood, focus, and daily functioning. These successes show what happens when barriers are removed and access is prioritized.

The obesity gap is not about effort or motivation. It is about opportunity. When we create inclusive environments, educate trainers, and design programs around ability rather than limitation, we give everyone the chance to thrive.