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A 2005 study shows that for each pound of body weight lost, there is a 4-pound
reduction in knee joint stress among overweight and obese people with
osteoarthritis of the knee.
Researchers say the results indicate that even modest weight loss may
significantly lighten the load on your joints.
"The accumulated reduction in knee load for a 1-pound loss in weight would be
more than 4,800 pounds per mile walked," writes researcher Stephen P. Messier,
PhD, of Wake Forest University in the July 2005 issue of Arthritis &
Rheumatism . "For people losing 10 pounds, each knee would be subjected to
48,000 pounds less in compressive load per mile walked."
Although there are no studies that have shown weight loss can slow the
progression of osteoarthritis of the knee, researchers say a reduction of
pressure on the joints of this magnitude would appear to have a major impact on
the disease. Obesity is one of the most important risk factors for
osteoarthritis of the knee.
Weight Loss Takes Pressure Off the Knee
Osteoarthritis is the leading cause of disability in the U.S. The disease
progressively destroys the cartilage that acts like a shock absorber in the
joints and results in pain, stiffness, and eventually loss of movement in the
affected joint.
The study involved 142 overweight and obese older adults with osteoarthritis of
the knee who participated in an 18 month weight loss program.
By the end of the weight loss program, the participants lost an average of
nearly 3% of their body weight.
But when researchers measured the load on the knee joints, they found that each
pound of weight loss was associated with a 4 pound reduction in knee-joint
load.
Accumulated over thousands of steps taken each day, researchers say the effects
of this reduction of pressure on the knees should have a significant impact on
the progression of osteoarthritis of the knee. They say more studies are needed
to confirm this assumption.
By Jennifer Warner
Reviewed By Kathleen Zelman, MPH, RD, July 25, 2007.
Medically updated July 25, 2007.
SOURCES: Messier, S. i, July 2005; vol 52: pp 2026-2032.
News release, John Wiley & Sons Inc.
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