General Health and Well-Being

Women with diabetes are more than twice as likely as women without diabetes to have physical limitations.³⁶  The prevalence of physical limitations is especially marked among older women with diabetes (age 60 and over). Among this group, it was reported that diabetes is a contributor to slower walking speed, decreased balance, substandard lower extremity function, and an increased risk of falling.^37,38

Activity Limitation

Women with activity limitation in the past year, by diagnosed diabetes status (left) and gender (right), 2004

* Estimate for men ages 18-44 did not meet sample size criteria.

Source: Medical Expenditure Panel Survey, 2004.

Appendix table number: Tables 11a and 11b.

• Women with diagnosed diabetes were significantly more likely than women without diabetes to report having an activity limitation.
• For the total population and for ages 45-64 and 65 and over, women with diagnosed diabetes were significantly more likely than men with diagnosed diabetes to report having an activity limitation.

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