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Morbid Obesity in Disasters: Bringing the “Conspicuously Invisible” into Focus

Author

Listed:
  • Lesley Gray

    (Department of Primary Health Care & General Practice, University of Otago, Wellington 6242, New Zealand
    Joint Centre for Disaster Research, Massey University & GNS Science, Wellington 6021, New Zealand)

  • Carol MacDonald

    (Joint Centre for Disaster Research, Massey University & GNS Science, Wellington 6021, New Zealand)

Abstract

It is a frightening reality for some people to be caught up in the midst of a disaster, alone and vulnerable due to their relative size, shape or weight. A literature search failed to find any empirical reports of data specific to body mass index (BMI) in disaster situations. A handful of largely anecdotal reports described situations in which people categorised as morbidly obese were negatively impacted in disasters because of their size and/or weight. While a small number of toolkits and training resources were found, there remains a paucity of research in relation to obesity and emergency planning or disaster risk reduction. This is somewhat surprising, considering the concern about increasing levels of obesity globally. Research is urgently needed to prioritise and address the specific considerations of people with morbid obesity and how communities plan, prepare, respond, and recover from disasters and public health emergencies.

Suggested Citation

  • Lesley Gray & Carol MacDonald, 2016. "Morbid Obesity in Disasters: Bringing the “Conspicuously Invisible” into Focus," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 13(10), pages 1-6, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:13:y:2016:i:10:p:1029-:d:81033
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    Cited by:

    1. Lesley Gray, 2017. "Social Determinants of Health, Disaster Vulnerability, Severe and Morbid Obesity in Adults: Triple Jeopardy?," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 14(12), pages 1-10, November.

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