Arthritis and physical inactivity linked to ObesityAccording to the US-based Arthritis Foundation, one-sixth of the total US populace, or 40 million Americans today, are victims of arthritis of which four per cent of the world's current populace is affected by osteoarthritis. It also pre-supposes that 80 per cent of the 50-plus people in the world will experience arthritis of some kind.
`AAL' an acronym for 'Arthritis - Attributable Activity Limitations' is a direct consequence of obesity leading to physical inactivity especially in women, as seen in a cross sectional study supported by the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long Term Care.
The study, a first of its kind, actually compared the health disparities with the risk and incidence for AAL between the 2 countries of US and Canada. It also evaluated how Arthritis and AAL were affected by obesity and leisure-time physical inactivity.
Over 8000 subjects, 3505 Canadians (65%) and 5138 Americans (50.2%) responded to the Joint Canada/United States Survey of Health. Of the variables studied the main variables were arthritis prevalence, AAL, body mass index and physical inactivity. The study revealed that both the prevalence of Arthritis and AAL was seen more in subjects from US and more in women than men. Further more, those who were physically inactive were more likely to have arthritis and AAL. The surmise therefore was that probably the higher prevalence of arthritis and AAL in the US may be a direct out come of greater obesity and physical inactivity, especially in women. Public health initiatives that campaign healthy weight and physical activity, should include health messages and programs for arthritis to reduce the impending incidence of arthritis and AAL.
The Indian scenarioThe World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that around 70 million Indians suffer from Osteoarthritis and afflicts nearly 80 per cent of them above 75 years. It usually first surfaces without any symptoms in people between 20 and 30, typical symptoms, such as pain and inflammation, surface in middle age. Till around 50-55 yrs the ailment occurs more or less equally in both sexes and after 55 years, the incidence increases in women.
Since the current job scene involves prolonged sitting on chairs, cross-legged or squatting and with limited physical movement, it thereby results in the weakening of muscles. Added to this there is extra weight on them due to obesity. This in turn leads to knee stiffness and then osteoarthritis of the knee.
Regular exercise can on one hand help contain obesity and on the other prevent or relieve joint pain as exercise nourishes the joint cartilage and removes waste products from the joints. While physical exercise strengthens the muscles around the joints, providing it support and thereby reducing injuries caused by fatigue, stretching provides scope for pain-free motion.
Indian youth are especially asked to be on guard. If certain activities like running, jogging etc cause pain, they are asked to shift to less strenuous activities. Sitting for hours at one place is another culprit, moving helps circulation and apart from that, weight should be kept under control by eating less fatty foods and exercising regularly.
Compiled by Vijayalakshmi Iyengar
Sr Dietitian,
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Reference:
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http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/717668?sssdmh=dm1.596028&src=nldne&uac=130222EN2. Technical Report -WHS Dissemination Workshop, India,2003 (WHO).
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