Mobility difficulties are not only a problem of old age

BACKGROUND: Lower extremity mobility difficulties often result from common medical conditions and can disrupt both physical and emotional well-being. OBJECTIVES: To assess the national prevalence of mobility difficulties amon g noninstitutionalized adults and to examine associations with demographic characteristics and other physical and mental health problems. DESIGN: Cross-sectional survey using the 1994-1995 National Health Intervie w Survey-Disability Supplement (NHIS-D). We constructed measures of minor, moderate, and major lower extremity mobility difficulties using questions a bout ability to walk, climb stairs, and stand, and use of mobility aide (e. g., canes, wheelchairs). Age and gender adjustment used direct standardizat ion methods in Software for the Statistical Analysis of Correlated Data (SU DAAN). PARTICIPANTS: Noninstitutionalized, civilian U.S. residents aged 18 years a nd older. National Health Interview Survey sampling weights with SUDAAN pro vided nationally representative population estimates, RESULTS: An estimated 19 million people (10.1%) reported some mobility diff iculty. The mean age of those with minor, moderate, or major difficulty ran ged from 59 to 67 years. Of those reporting major difficulties, 32% said th eir problems began at aged 50 years or younger. Adjusted problem rates were higher among women (11.8%) than men (8.8%), and higher among African Ameri cans (15.0%) than whites (10.0%). persons with mobility difficulties were m ore likely to be poorly educated, living alone, impoverished, obese, and ha ving problems conducting daily activities. Among persons with major mobilit y difficulties, 30.6% reported being frequently depressed or anxious, compa red to 3.8% for persons without mobility difficulties. CONCLUSIONS: Reports of mobility difficulties are common, including among m iddle-aged adults. Associations with poor performance of daily activities, depression, anxiety, and poverty highlight the need for comprehensive care for persons with mobility problems.