This study suggests that obesity is an important risk factor for pain in young adults, particularly knee pain.
Adolescents with a body mass index (BMI) rating of obese experience knee pain more often and to a greater severity than adolescents with a healthy weight, a new study shows. The Arthritis Research UK funded study explored the relationship between obesity and pain around the body in young adults. Although previous epidemiological studies have identified obesity as a risk factor for general musculoskeletal pain in adults, this is the first study to investigate the link in adolescents. Researchers at the University of Bristol surveyed 3,376 seventeen year olds, all from the 'Children of the 90s Study Group'. They answered a pain assessment questionnaire and their BMI was calculated based on measurements of their height and weight. Of the 7 per cent of participants with a BMI rating of obese, 33 per cent were more likely to report musculoskeletal pain at any site around the body compared to non- obese participants. They were also more likely to report knee pain (87 per cent) and more severe average pain, with pain scores 11 per cent and 20 per cent higher.
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