Sociocultural differences in the development of obesity in adolescents in Murcia.

BACKGROUND: Childhood obesity presents alarming numbers in our country, being even higher in the population of immigrant origin. The main objective was to analyse the excess weight numbers both in native adolescents and in those children of immigrants and to determine the ethnic influence on lifestyle habits that could condition these differences in weight overload. METHODS: Adolescents from 1st year of Obligatory Secondary Education (E.S.O.) participated; somatometry was determined and classified according to BMI (with WHO references) and parental origin. Parents completed the survey on healthy habits (ENHASA). An analysis of variance was performed for each of the 4 dimensions of the questionnaire. RESULTS: A total of 416 adolescents participated (12.8±0.62 years). Excess weight was detected in 41.2% of the participants, with significant differences between groups (p 0.018): 36.7% in Spanish, 42.9% in North Africa and 58.2% in South America. The ANOVA analysis showed differences in the section "physical activity" (p 0.003), highlighting the maximum disparity in the performance of extracurricular sports activities, with a lower score in both non-native groups. CONCLUSION: We found significant differences according to ethnic origin in the number of overweight children and the amount of physical activity they do; South American adolescents are the most sedentary. We must design interventions that guarantee the access of all adolescents to sports activities to prevent the development of obesity.

Importancia y rendimiento de los hábitos implicados en el desarrollo de exceso de peso según género / Importance and performance of habits involved in the development of excess weight according to gender

Introducción: la obesidad afecta cada vez más a los adolescentes. La clave de la prevención sigue siendo el control de los factores de riesgo modificables. El objetivo fue realizar un análisis mediante mapas de importancia-rendimiento de las principales conductas que condicionan la aparición de exceso de peso en adolescentes en función del género, una técnica estadística que representa gráficamente la importancia y el rendimiento de cada uno de los factores involucrados en el desarrollo del exceso de peso. Material y métodos: se administró un cuestionario sobre hábitos saludables (ENHASA) a padres de adolescentes de 12-14 años de Murcia (España). Posteriormente, fueron clasificados según estado ponderal siguiendo los criterios de la Organización Mundial de la Salud (OMS). Se realizaron un análisis multivariante y mapas de importancia-rendimiento según género. Resultados: participaron 416 adolescentes, detectándose un 40,6% de exceso de peso, sin diferencias significativas por género. El análisis mostró un R2 de 0,123 en adolescentes hombres y de 0,156 en adolescentes mujeres. Se reveló la falta de actividad física como el factor más importante para el desarrollo de exceso de peso en los adolescentes hombres, aunque los hábitos con mayor capacidad de mejora en ellos fueron los relacionados con el uso de televisión y horas de pantalla. En las adolescentes mujeres, lo más condicionante fue el ambiente socioescolar, siendo también los hábitos con menor rendimiento los relacionados con el uso de pantallas. Conclusiones: existen diferencias de género en los hábitos que condicionan el exceso de peso. Se debería tener en cuenta una perspectiva de género a la hora de diseñar nuevas estrategias de prevención (AU)

Introduction: obesity affects more adolescents every day. The key to prevention remains the control of modifiable risk factors. The objective of the work was to carry out an analysis using importance-performance maps of the main behaviors that condition the appearance of excess weight in adolescents according to gender. An statistical technique that draws on a map the importance and performance of each of the risk factors involved in the development of excess weight.Material and methods: we collected information from 416 adolescents between 12 and 14 years of age in Murcia (Spain) using the ENHASA healthy habits questionnaire. Later, we determined their somatometry and they were classified following the criteria of the World Health Organization (WHO). A multivariate analysis and importance-performance maps according to gender were performed.Results: 416 adolescents participated. We obtained 40,6% excess weight without significant differences by sex. The analysis showed an R2 of 0,123 in boys and 0,156 in girls. Lack of physical activity revealed as the most important factor for the development of excess weight in boys, although the habits with the greatest capacity for improvement were those related to the use of television and screen time. In girls, the most determining dimension was the socio-school environment; and the habits with the lowest performance were also those related to the use of screens.Conclusions: there are gender differences in the habits that determine overweight and obesity. It is important to take gender perspective into account when designing new more efficient prevention. (AU)

Influence of Lifestyle Habits in the Development of Obesity during Adolescence.

Background: The alarming increase in childhood obesity is a global public health problem since it has significant health consequences. This cross-sectional study aimed to identify the potentially modifiable risk factors for developing excess weight and determine the importance of developing certain habits to prevent childhood overweight and obesity. Methods: The sample included 416 students between the ages of 12 and 14 (12.8 ± 0.62) first-year high school students from Murcia in Spain. Data were collected on their lifestyle habits through the ENHASA questionnaire, and the somatometry of the participants was measured. Such data were studied through structural equation modeling and importance-performance map analyses. Results: The modifiable risk factors that presented the greatest potency directly regarding when developing excess weight in adolescents were 'use of electronic devices' and 'not performing physical activity' (p < 0.001). 'Social and school environment' and 'diet' showed relationships but no significant differences with overweight or obesity. Globally, the lifestyle habit of the greatest importance for not being overweight was 'engagement in extracurricular physical activities'. On the other hand, the habits related to using new technologies in a sedentary way showed the best capacity for improvement. Therefore, it would be very efficient to focus on them to control excess weight. Conclusion: Responsible and limited use of screens and engaging in extracurricular physical activities may be the most remarkable and cost-effective strategies for obesity prevention programs.

Consumer Behaviour towards Pork Meat Products: A Literature Review and Data Analysis.

Knowing the behaviour of consumers is essential for all types of companies, including meat companies. For this purpose, academia is an ally of industry, and analysing scientific production seems crucial for conducting future research. Therefore, this study aimed to carry out an exhaustive review of the literature, relying on both descriptive and bibliometric analyses, the latter being through the application of clustering techniques by simple centres. The main results and conclusions are as follows: (1) consumer perceptions, behaviours and attitudes towards food are the main focus of research in this area; (2) the ingredients and additives of meat products are the main concerns in the industry regarding such products; (3) sausages are the dominant meat product; (4) and pork, as well as other types of meat, fall under the generic umbrella term meat. Furthermore, there is a lack of studies considering age, sex and income cohorts. Such lack might have led to finding consumer behaviour and the welfare of animals not significant despite the presupposed positive correlation. The main limitations for researchers are around the availability of budgets and the existence of trade secrets.

Gender differences in the development of childhood obesity in young teenagers in Murcia, Spain.

BACKGROUND: The number of overweight children is increasing at an alarming rate. This issue requires effective action plans, as childhood obesity has become a problem in which addressing environmental factors is decisive. Significant differences have also been shown in lifestyle habits that determine overweight based on sex. This study therefore aimed to examine these risk factors according to sex. METHODS: The sample included first-year high school students from Murcia, Spain. Information was collected through the "Questionnaire on Healthy Habits in Adolescents," validated for this age range, and the weight, height, and waist circumference of the participants were obtained. Data were analyzed through partial least squares structural equation modeling to determine which modifiable risk factors promoted the appearance of excess weight and in what magnitude. RESULTS: A total of 421 students participated in the study, and 40.6% of overweight patients were detected according to their body mass index. No differences were found between the sexes and weights. The environment and the use of new technologies that do not involve sitting were significant only in girls (P < 0.05). Conversely, physical activity was significantly higher in boys (P < 0.05). Dietary factors and sedentary activities did not differ according to sex. CONCLUSIONS: The social and school environment, the use of new technologies (for girls), and physical activity (for boys) condition nutritional status. Identifying gender disparities in behaviors that involve health should be a priority for new prevention programs. Targeting young people's health from a gender perspective has considerable potential to reduce overweight problems in adulthood.

Causalidad entre factores de riesgo modificables y sobrepeso en adolescentes de 12-14 años / Relationship between modifiable risk factors and overweight in adolescents aged 12-14 years

Introducción: España se sitúa a la cabeza europea en exceso de peso (EP) debido en parte a los cambios sociales y ambientales de las últimas décadas. El objetivo del trabajo fue estudiar los factores de riesgo modificables que condicionan el EP. Material y métodos: Se autodiseñó una encuesta con los factores relacionados con la obesidad infantil, y se administró a los padres de adolescentes que cursaban primero de secundaria en 4 centros del Área V de Salud de Murcia. Se objetivó el peso, talla, perímetro abdominal e índice cintura-talla (ICT) de los alumnos, y se clasificaron en sobrepeso-obesidad. Se aplicó la técnica de reducción de dimensiones, generando factores que agruparon los ítems según materia, y se realizó una técnica multivalente para valorar la relación de dependencia entre las variables y el EP. Resultados: Fueron incluidos 421 alumnos, el 28 y el 35% con EP y obesidad abdominal, respectivamente. El análisis factorial agrupó los ítems en 4 factores: alimentación, actividad física, tecnologías y entorno, existiendo un subapartado de percepción corporal. El modelo de ecuaciones estructurales presentó un R2 de 0,440. Se obtuvo la mayor relación con el factor entorno (t 2,89) y percepción (t 14,61), seguido del uso de tecnologías. Además, reveló una relación directa respecto a la alimentación y la actividad física, aunque no significativa. Conclusiones: La percepción familiar y el ambiente social-escolar influyen de forma importante en el desarrollo del EP. Las intervenciones de educación para la salud con inclusión de padres y profesores probablemente sean las estrategias más inteligentes y rentables. (AU)

Introduction: Spain is the European leader in over weight (O-W), partly to the social and environmental changes of the last decades. The objective of the work was to study the modifiable risk factors that lead to O-W. Material and methods: A self-designed questionnaire with factors related to childhood obesity was produced, and was administered to the parents of adolescents who were attending first year of high school in four centres in Health Area V in Murcia. Weight, height, abdominal circumference and Waist-Height Index (WHI) of the students were measured, and classified as overweight-obesity. A reduction technique was applied, generating factors that grouped the items according to subject, as well as a multivalent technique to assess the dependency relationship between the variables, and the SB-OI. Results: Of the 421 students included, 28 and 35% had excess weight and abdominal obesity, respectively. The factor analysis grouped the items into 4 factors: diet, physical activity, technologies, and environment, with a subsection about body perception. The structural equation model presented an R2 of 0.440. The highest relationship was obtained with the environment factor (t 2.89), and perception (t 14.61), followed by the use of technologies. A direct relationship was also revealed regarding diet and physical activity, although not significant. Conclusions: Family perception and the social-school environment have an important influence on the development of the O-W. Health education interventions involving parents and teachers are probably the smartest and most cost-effective strategies.

Relationship between modifiable risk factors and overweight in adolescents aged 12-14 years.

INTRODUCTION: Spain is the European leader in overweight (O-W), partly to the social and environmental changes of the last decades. The objective of the work was to study the modifiable risk factors that lead to O-W. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A self-designed questionnaire with factors related to childhood obesity was produced, and was administered to the parents of adolescents who were attending first year of high school in four centres in Health Area V in Murcia. Weight, height, abdominal circumference and Waist-Height Index (WHI) of the students were measured, and classified as overweight-obesity. A reduction technique was applied, generating factors that grouped the items according to subject, as well as a multivalent technique to assess the dependency relationship between the variables, and the SB-OI. RESULTS: Of the 421 students included, 28% and 35% had excess weight and abdominal obesity, respectively. The factor analysis grouped the items into 4 factors: diet, physical activity, technologies, and environment, with a subsection about body perception. The structural equation model presented an R2 of 0.440. The highest relationship was obtained with the environment factor (t 2.89), and perception (t 14.61), followed by the use of technologies. A direct relationship was also revealed regarding diet and physical activity, although not significant. CONCLUSIONS: Family perception and the social-school environment have an important influence on the development of the O-W. Health education interventions involving parents and teachers are probably the smartest and most cost-effective strategies.

Diseño y validación de un cuestionario para estudiar hábitos saludables en adolescentes de 12-14 años / Design and validation of a questionnaire to study healthy habits among adolescents aged 12-14 years

Introducción. Los cambios sociales y culturales están alterando los hábitos de los jóvenes. Existen encuestas para medir dichas conductas, pero son de difícil interpretación. El objetivo del estudio fue diseñar y validar un cuestionario homogéneo para estudiar los hábitos en adolescentes de 12-14 años.Población y métodos. Estudio descriptivo y transversal para validación de un cuestionario. Los ítems fueron seleccionados tras revisión de la literatura y evaluación por expertos. El pretest fue administrado a una muestra piloto. Se determinó la fiabilidad mediante el alfa de Cronbach, y la validez del constructo, mediante un análisis factorial. Se aplicó a una muestra de padres de alumnos de cuatro centros de secundaria.Resultados. El coeficiente de Cronbach mostró valores próximos a 0,7 en tres de las cuatro subescalas y un valor global de 0,629, que demostró precisión y estabilidad. El análisis factorial determinó una validez de constructo adecuada, que mostró 4 factores: alimentación, actividad física, nuevas tecnologías y entorno. El cuestionario final tuvo 26 ítems y se aplicó a 421 participantes. Un 24,8 % presentaron hábitos deficientes, y un 3,4 %, muy poco saludables. Las adolescentes mostraron peores puntuaciones en actividad física (p < 0,001), y los adolescentes, en nuevas tecnologías, aunque no significativo.Conclusiones. Se obtuvo un instrumento válido, fiable y de fácil aplicación para evaluar conductas modificables en adolescentes. La inclusión de tecnologías y entorno adapta el cuestionario a los cambios actuales. Las dimensiones sobre uso de tecnologías y actividad física fueron las más deficitarias; las adolescentes se mostraron más sedentarias.

Introduction. Social and cultural changes are altering young people's habits. Some surveys measure such behaviors, but are hard to interpret. The objective of this study was to design and validate a homogeneous questionnaire to study habits among adolescents aged 12-14 years.Population and methods. Descriptive and cross-sectional study to validate a questionnaire. Items were selected after a bibliographic review and expert assessment. The pre-test was administered to a pilot sample. Reliability was established using Cronbach's alpha coefficient, and construct validity, using a factor analysis. It was administered to a sample of parents of students from 4 secondary schools.Results. Cronbach's coefficient showed values close to 0.7 in 3/4 subscales and an overall value of 0.629, showing accuracy and stability. Factor analysis determined an adequate construct validity, with 4 factors: eating, physical activity, new technologies, and environment. The final questionnaire included 26 items and was administered to 421 participants. Poor habits were observed in 24.8 % and very unhealthy, in 3.4 %. Girls had poorer scores in physical activity (p < 0.001), and boys, in new technologies, although it was not significant.Conclusions. The final instrument was valid, reliable, and easily administered to assess modifiable behaviors in adolescents. The inclusion of technologies and environment helps to adapt the questionnaire to current changes. The greatest deficit was observed in the technology use and physical activity domains; and girls were more sedentary.

Design and validation of a questionnaire to study healthy habits among adolescents aged 12-14 years. / Diseño y validación de un cuestionario para estudiar hábitos saludables en adolescentes de 12-14 años.

INTRODUCTION: Social and cultural changes are altering young people's habits. Some surveys measure such behaviors, but are hard to interpret. The objective of this study was to design and validate a homogeneous questionnaire to study habits among adolescents aged 12-14 years. POPULATION AND METHODS: Descriptive and crosssectional study to validate a questionnaire. Items were selected after a bibliographic review and expert assessment. The pre-test was administered to a pilot sample. Reliability was established using Cronbach's alpha coefficient, and construct validity, using a factor analysis. It was administered to a sample of parents of students from 4 secondary schools. RESULTS: Cronbach's coefficient showed values close to 0.7 in 3/4 subscales and an overall value of 0.629, showing accuracy and stability. Factor analysis determined an adequate construct validity, with 4 factors: eating, physical activity, new technologies, and environment. The final questionnaire included 26 items and was administered to 421 participants. Poor habits were observed in 24.8 % and very unhealthy, in 3.4 %. Girls had poorer scores in physical activity (p < 0.001), and boys, in new technologies, although it was not significant. CONCLUSIONS: The final instrument was valid, reliable, and easily administered to assess modifiable behaviors in adolescents. The inclusion of technologies and environment helps to adapt the questionnaire to current changes. The greatest deficit was observed in the technology use and physical activity domains; and girls were more sedentary.

Introducción. Los cambios sociales y culturales están alterando los hábitos de los jóvenes. Existen encuestas para medir dichas conductas, pero son de difícil interpretación. El objetivo del estudio fue diseñar y validar un cuestionario homogéneo para estudiar los hábitos en adolescentes de 12- 14 años. Población y métodos. Estudio descriptivo y transversal para validación de un cuestionario. Los ítems fueron seleccionados tras revisión de la literatura y evaluación por expertos. El pretest fue administrado a una muestra piloto. Se determinó la fiabilidad mediante el alfa de Cronbach, y la validez del constructo, mediante un análisis factorial. Se aplicó a una muestra de padres de alumnos de cuatro centros de secundaria. Resultados. El coeficiente de Cronbach mostró valores próximos a 0,7 en tres de las cuatro subescalas y un valor global de 0,629, que demostró precisión y estabilidad. El análisis factorial determinó una validez de constructo adecuada, que mostró 4 factores: alimentación, actividad física, nuevas tecnologías y entorno. El cuestionario final tuvo 26 ítems y se aplicó a 421 participantes. Un 24,8 % presentaron hábitos deficientes, y un 3,4 %, muy poco saludables. Las adolescentes mostraron peores puntuaciones en actividad física (p<0,001), y los adolescentes, en nuevas tecnologías, aunque no significativo. Conclusiones. Se obtuvo un instrumento válido, fiable y de fácil aplicación para evaluar conductas modificables en adolescentes. La inclusión de tecnologías y entorno adapta el cuestionario a los cambios actuales. Las dimensiones sobre uso de tecnologías y actividad física fueron las más deficitarias; las adolescentes se mostraron más sedentarias.

Influencia familiar sobre el exceso de peso infantil en la Región de Murcia, España / Family influence on childhood excess weight in the Region of Murcia, Spain

Introducción. La obesidad infantil en España es preocupante y el entorno familiar puede influir en su desarrollo. Los objetivos fueron determinar la prevalencia de exceso de peso en adolescentes, evaluar variables familiares que pudieran condicionarla y determinar la percepción corporal de los padres.Población y métodos. Estudio transversal; se incluyeron alumnos de cinco centros de secundaria del Área V de Murcia. Se registró antropometría de los alumnos y se administró una encuesta a los padres con variables de peso, talla, ejercicio, estudios, tipo de familia y percepción corporal. Se realizó el análisis mediante tablas de contingencia y asociación con d de Somers.Resultados. Participaron 421 alumnos (edad: 12,8 ± 0,6 años); el 21,1 % tenían sobrepeso, y el 19,5 %, obesidad. Existió asociación entre padres e hijos con sobrecarga ponderal (d de Somers con p < 0,05). Si ambos padres eran sedentarios, sus hijos realizaban menos ejercicio. A mayor nivel de estudios parental, menor tasa de sobrepeso infantil (p < 0,05). El sobrepeso-obesidad en los hijos fue mayor en familias separadas o monoparentales. El 32 % de los padres no percibía el exceso de peso de sus hijos ni el 53 % en sí mismos.Conclusiones. La prevalencia de exceso de peso en esta muestra fue del 40,6 %. El estado nutricional de los padres, el nivel de estudios y el tipo de familia se asociaron con la obesidad infantil. Influyó en mayor medida la figura materna. Existió una infraconsideración de la obesidad por parte de los padres.

Introduction. In Spain, childhood obesity is worrying, and its development might be influenced by the family setting. The objectives were to determine the prevalence of excess weight among adolescents, evaluate family variables that could affect it, and determine parents' body perception.Population and methods. Cross-sectional study; students from five secondary schools in health area V of the Region of Murcia were included. Students' anthropometric measurements were recorded and a survey was administered to parents, including variables such as weight, height, exercise, level of education, family structure, and body perception. The analysis was done using contingency tables and the association with Somers' D measures.Results. Four hundred and twenty one students participated (age: 12.8 ± 0.6 years old); 21.1 % were overweight and 19.5 %, obese. There was an association between parent and child excess weight (Somers' D with a p value < 0.05). If both parents had a sedentary lifestyle, their children would exercise less. The higher the level of parental education, the lower the rate of childhood overweight (p < 0.05). Overweight-obesity among children was higher in separated or single-parent families. In total, 32 % of parents misperceived their children's excess weight and 53 %, their own.Conclusions. In this sample, the prevalence of excess weight was 40.6 %. Parents' nutritional status, level of education, and family structure were associated with childhood obesity. Mothers had a greater influence on the development of their children's overweight. Parents underestimated obesity.

Family influence on childhood excess weight in the Region of Murcia, Spain. / Influencia familiar sobre el exceso de peso infantil en la Región de Murcia, España.

INTRODUCTION: In Spain, childhood obesity is worrying, and its development might be influenced by the family setting. The objectives were to determine the prevalence of excess weight among adolescents, evaluate family variables that could affect it, and determine parents' body perception. POPULATION AND METHODS: Cross-sectional study; students from five secondary schools in health area V of the Region of Murcia were included. Students' anthropometric measurements were recorded and a survey was administered to parents, including variables such as weight, height, exercise, level of education, family structure, and body perception. The analysis was done using contingency tables and the association with Somers' D measures. RESULTS: Four hundred and twenty one students participated (age: 12.8 ± 0.6 years old); 21.1 % were overweight and 19.5 %, obese. There was an association between parent and child excess weight (Somers' D with a p value < 0.05). If both parents had a sedentary lifestyle, their children would exercise less. The higher the level of parental education, the lower the rate of childhood overweight (p < 0.05). Overweightobesity among children was higher in separated or single-parent families. In total, 32 % of parents misperceived their children's excess weight and 53 %, their own. CONCLUSIONS: In this sample, the prevalence of excess weight was 40.6 %. Parents' nutritional status, level of education, and family structure were associated with childhood obesity. Mothers had a greater influence on the development of their children's overweight. Parents underestimated obesity.

es preocupante y el entorno familiar puede influir en su desarrollo. Los objetivos fueron determinar la prevalencia de exceso de peso en adolescentes, evaluar variables familiares que pudieran condicionarla y determinar la percepción corporal de los padres. Población y métodos. Estudio transversal; se incluyeron alumnos de cinco centros de secundaria del Área V de Murcia. Se registró antropometría de los alumnos y se administró una encuesta a los padres con variables de peso, talla, ejercicio, estudios, tipo de familia y percepción corporal. Se realizó el análisis mediante tablas de contingencia y asociación con d de Somers. Resultados. Participaron 421 alumnos (edad: 12,8 ± 0,6 años); el 21,1 % tenían sobrepeso, y el 19,5 %, obesidad. Existió asociación entre padres e hijos con sobrecarga ponderal (d de Somers con p < 0,05). Si ambos padres eran sedentarios, sus hijos realizaban menos ejercicio. A mayor nivel de estudios parental, menor tasa de sobrepeso infantil (p < 0,05). El sobrepeso-obesidad en los hijos fue mayor en familias separadas o monoparentales. El 32 % de los padres no percibía el exceso de peso de sus hijos ni el 53 % en sí mismos. Conclusiones. La prevalencia de exceso de peso en esta muestra fue del 40,6 %. El estado nutricional de los padres, el nivel de estudios y el tipo de familia se asociaron con la obesidad infantil. Influyó en mayor medida la figura materna. Existió una infraconsideración de la obesidad por parte de los padres.

Satisfaction with healthcare services among Spanish people with disabilities.

BACKGROUND: Several studies show the relationship between patient satisfaction and quality of health services and also between disabling conditions and healthcare access, but none sufficiently analyze the factors that contribute to satisfaction among patients with disabilities. OBJECTIVE/HYPOTHESES: The primary aim of this paper is to quantify the impact of social factors, perceived health status and access on satisfaction with healthcare services among Spanish people with disabilities. METHODS: This paper uses data from the European Health Survey 2009 to construct latent variables related to satisfaction, use and health status among Spanish patients with disabilities. Next, partial least squares path modeling is used for quantifying the effects of certain social factors, service use, and health status on patient satisfaction with received healthcare services. RESULTS: Satisfaction with healthcare services among people with disabilities is correlated (Nagelkerke R(2) of 0.175) with certain demographic factors (age, gender and town size), assistance support and patient use of these services. Education level and income were not found to have significant effects. CONCLUSIONS: People with disabilities generally show a high level of satisfaction with healthcare services, influenced by a positive valuation of the differentiated use given their specific care needs. Subjective aspects of care have a notable influence, linked with the perception of the person's own state of health and emotional status, on these positive valuations; patients' individual perceptions can reduce care needs and the use patients make of healthcare services and tend to increase their level of satisfaction with these services when they do seek them.

Impact of social factors on labour discrimination of disabled women.

Disabled women suffer from a double labour discrimination due to their gender and their disability. In rural areas, in addition, they also suffer from a lack of specific services, the isolation of the disabled associations, problems with public transport, the dispersion of population centres, and a limited access to information that could improve their chances of entering the labour market. The current work adopts a constructivist perspective on disability and offers a preliminary examination of the influence of social factors, such as the rural or urban nature of the disabled women's place of residence, the assistance they receive from their family or outside the family, the quantity of information they receive about the labour market, and their educational level, on the activity and employment status of this group of people.

An approach to the socio-labour situation of disabled women in rural communities in a Spanish region.

Disabled women suffer socio-labour discrimination because of both their gender and their disability. The situation is gradually improving, thanks to the national and supranational organisations, which in the past few decades have made considerable progress in improving the legislation, providing financial resources and encouraging social awareness. Despite this, few studies quantify this double discrimination in order to permit the evaluation of the socio-labour situation of this group of people. This scarcity is even more pronounced for rural areas, where many other factors hinder the integration of disabled women into the labour market and generate some specific problems that the specialist literature seldom addresses. The current work presents the results of a survey on the socio-economic situation of disabled women in a strongly rural area: the Spanish region of Castilla-La Mancha. It stresses the fundamental difficulties of these women in integrating into the labour market and the most urgent political measures needed to help this group.