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Obesity

Joint efforts: The connection between obesity and joint health

Stiff hips? Grumbling knees? Excess weight can wreak havoc on your joints. Learn why obesity puts stress on your knees and hips and uncover strategies to move with more ease.

Obesity has become a global epidemic, significantly increasing prevalence over the years. The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that one in eight people worldwide are now living with obesity. Many of them are affected by chronic conditions such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease and hypertension. But did you know that it can affect your joint health? This article explores the link between obesity and joint health and discusses ways to protect your joints. 

5 min. read
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How does obesity affect your joints?

Living with obesity for a prolonged period can be tough on your joints. This is because all that extra weight puts more stress on them, kind of like overloading a shelf. Overtime, this extra stress can break down the cartilage between your bones making them sore, stiff and harder to move leading to a condition called osteoarthritis (OA). This is especially true for your knees as they take on a lot of the weight burden. While obesity doesn’t directly cause OA, it can increase the chances of the disease and make the condition worse. 

How does obesity and joint disease impact your life?

Living with chronic obesity can lead to joint pain and damage, which can affect mobility and quality of life. The stress of extra weight and inflammation can gradually harm the joints, sometimes leading to disability and may increase the need for surgeries like knee and hip replacements. These surgeries are more common among people living with obesity compared to those who do not.

But the good news is, there are management strategies and lifestyle changes that can be made to protect your joints and improve your overall well-being. The best part? By managing your weight, you might even avoid the need for surgeries like knee or hip replacements down the road.

Lifestyle changes and supportive care for joint wellness

Managing weight has shown to improve both pain and function in people living with obesity and OA. Even modest weight loss can significantly reduce stress on weight-bearing joints, alleviating pain and improving function. Studies indicate that losing as little as 5-10% of body weight can lead to noticeable improvements in joint health and mobility.

Adopting a healthy lifestyle is essential for mitigating the impact of obesity on joint health.  Regular physical activity, tailored to individual capabilities, strengthens muscles around the joints, improves flexibility, and reduces joint pain. Resistance training is particularly beneficial for those with joint pain, as it minimises stress on the joints while promoting strength and flexibility.

Speaking to your doctor can also play a crucial role in managing obesity and its impact on joint health. They can provide personalised advice, nutritional guidance, and exercise plans. In some cases, medical interventions such as pharmacotherapy or bariatric surgery may be recommended for sustainable weight management and improvement in joint health. 

What to remember while navigating your joint wellbeing

Since obesity has become more prevalent, it is important to understand how it affects our joints. Fortunately, there are ways to reduce its effects. By embracing simple lifestyle modifications such as weight management and regular physical activity, alongside seeking help from healthcare professionals, you can take control over your joint health.

References:
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  3. Orthopaedic Surgeons, A.A. of (2015). Position Statement. [online] Available at: https://www.aaos.org/contentassets/1cd7f41417ec4dd4b5c4c48532183b96/1184-the-impact-of-obesity-on-bone-and-joint-health1.pdf.
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