How Can Obesity Affect Your Joint Health?
It’s no surprise that obesity can lead to a number of health concerns like diabetes and heart disease, but did you know that obesity can also contribute to poor joint health? According to the Center for Disease Control, those who are classified as overweight or obese have an increased chance of developing different forms of arthritis. The most common of these is osteoarthritis (OA). Osteoarthritis develops when there is a significant break down of cartilage (the connective tissue on the ends of bones forming a joint) due to stress on those joints. For every pound of excess weight, someone who is obese exerts about four pounds of stress on their knees alone. To put it in perspective, an individual who is 50Ibs overweight exerts about 200Ibs of stress on their knees. As common as OA is, it does not hold a monopoly over joint health issues in individuals who are overweight. Overweight or obese individuals are also likely to develop Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA), which is an autoimmune disease that is stimulated by the inflammatory chemicals found in fatty tissue. The excessive presence of this chemical causes joint tissue erosion and, of course, inflammation. Similar diseases that promote inflammation have the same general cause. Much like diabetes and heart disease, an individual who falls well beyond the recommended BMI can work towards bettering their joint health by introducing healthy eating habits and exercise regimens into their daily life. If you are interested in relief for joint pain or nutritional guidance, contact Dr. Gotro at 704-343-0208 for a free consultation!