Arthritis was once considered to be the ailment of the elderly. However, nowadays younger people are complaining of arthritic joint pains. This decade is also witnessing a phenomenal increase in the number of people (young and middle-aged) who can be considered obese. If you watch closely, the increase in people afflicted with obesity is directly proportional to those afflicted with arthritis. That is because obesity is the cause of their arthritis.
Arthritis is one of the leading causes of disability among elderly men and women. Osteoarthritis or degenerative joint disease is the most common type of arthritis. Osteoarthritis is a chronic condition characterized by the breakdown of the cartilage of the joint. The breakdown of cartilage causes the bones to rub against each other, causing stiffness, pain, and loss of movement in the joint.
Obesity -- A Risk Factor for Osteoarthritis
Obesity is one of the leading risk factors for osteoarthritis. Therefore, a well planned weight-loss program can certainly prevent the onset of arthritis. Excess body weight overstresses the weight-bearing joints, thereby causing wear and tear of the joint cartilage leading to degenerative changes in the joint. Interestingly, for every 2-pound increase in weight, the risk of developing arthritis is increased by 9 to 13 percent!
Lift That Weight Off Your Knee!
Since a major load of your weight is borne by your knee, osteoarthritis of the knee is of significance while talking about the link between arthritis and obesity. One of the studies published in the July 2005 edition of Arthritis & Rheumatism suggests that, "For every one pound (0.45 kg) of weight lost, there is a four-pound (1.8 kg) reduction in the load exerted on the knee for each step taken during daily activities." American College of Rheumatology recommends weight loss and exercise to reduce the painful and incapacitating symptoms of knee osteoarthritis. According to a study, weight loss of only 15 pounds (6.8 kg) can reduce knee pain by half for overweight individuals with arthritis.
Caution While Exercising
The primary concern of your weight loss should be health and not appearance. Weight loss program should be properly planned under the guidance of experts to specify your individual needs. Appropriate mode, intensity, and volume of exercises in combination with low calorie diet and active lifestyle need to be focused upon. Being overweight can put additional weight on your weight-bearing joints. Therefore, non-weight bearing exercises are more suitable in such cases. Exercising under water is a good example of this.
Benefits of Aquatic Exercises
Aquatic exercises are very beneficial for people with arthritis who are overweight. Even if you don't know swimming, you can enroll for aquatic exercises. This is a type of aerobic workout done in a swimming pool. The unique buoyant property of water makes exercise easy on the joints. Apart from achieving weight loss, one can effectively strengthen the muscles without straining the joints by aquatic exercises.
Whatever be the weight-loss exercise program you undertake, care should be taken to prevent injuries to your joints or worsening of the degenerative process. The idea should be to slowly and steadily lose your excess weight as well as strengthen your joints. Once the weight is lost, maintain a healthy diet and stick to any routine exercises to prevent regaining the lost weight.
