Other than heart problems, cholesterol and high BP, obesity has one more illness to its credit. That’s right osteoarthritis or weakening of the joints. Did you know that for a one-unit increase in BMI, the odds of rapid cartilage loss increased by a good 11 percent? These were the findings of researchers when they examined close to 3000 people in the 50 to 79 years age group.
In which case we need to understand what cartilage is and why we need to keep it protected. Cartilage is a strong protein matrix that lubricates and cushions the joints. When bone surfaces become less well protected by cartilage, subchondral bone may be exposed and damaged. The patient increasingly experiences pain upon weight bearing, including walking and standing. Due to decreased movement because of the pain, regional muscles may atrophy, and ligaments may become more lax. Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis, affecting 27 million Americans, according to the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.
Osteoarthritis commonly affects the hands, feet, spine, and large weight-bearing joints, such as the hips and knees. Joint pain is usually worse later in the day. There can be swelling, warmth, and creaking of the affected joints. Pain and stiffness of the joints can also occur after long periods of inactivity, for example, sitting in a theater. In severe osteoarthritis, complete loss of cartilage cushion causes friction between bones, causing pain at rest or pain with limited motion. There are also cases where OA shows itself without pain as a bony protrusion from the smaller joint of the fingers.
In conclusion although the real cause of osteoarthritis cannot be pinpointed and prevented it is researched that osteoarthritis can be caused by aging, heredity, and injury from trauma or disease. Obesity is a factor that has been diagnosed as a cause for cartilage loss. So, if anything lets step up against obesity and save our joints for healthy aging.
