We discuss the impact body weight can have on pain & conditions like osteoarthritis
In the UK it's estimated that around one in four adults are living with obesity. Obesity can affect your quality of life, as you can be more at risk of certain health conditions such as type 2 diabetes, certain types of cancer, heart disease and stroke. Being overweight can also affect your mental health, as well as your self-esteem.
There is also a connection between obesity and pain – particularly joint pain – which we’ll discuss throughout this article.
What is obesity?
You might have heard of the term ‘obese’, but what does it actually mean? Put simply, the term ‘obese’ is used to describe a person who has excess body fat.
So how do you know if you’re obese or not? The most common way to determine if someone is a healthy weight is Body Mass Index (BMI), which measures whether you’re a healthy weight for your height. A BMI of 30 or above indicates that you’re in the obese range. Find out more about BMI and work out whether you’re a healthy weight.
Can being overweight contribute to pain?
Several studies have shown a link between having a BMI that classifies a person as being overweight, and their likelihood of experiencing increased pain.
Being overweight, or obese, can increase the pressure on the weight-bearing joints of your feet, ankles, hips and knees, which can lead to increased pain and mobility problems. Being overweight can also increase your risk of developing osteoarthritis.
Wondering what might be causing your lower back pain? Excess body weight may also put pressure on your spine or alter your posture, which could result in lower back pain. Read more about the causes of lower back pain.
There is also the risk that a person living with pain may reduce the amount of exercise they do, in order to avoid making the pain worse. In turn, this reduction of movement could lead to weight gain, meaning an increase in the possibility of experiencing pain.
If you think you might be experiencing muscle pain, rather than joint pain, take a look at the common causes and at-home treatments for muscle pain.
Can losing weight reduce pain?
The good news is that, if you’re overweight and experiencing pain, losing weight and then maintaining a healthy weight can help. It will improve the amount of pain you experience as well as lowering your risk of developing conditions like osteoarthritis. Not to mention a whole host of other benefits, like potentially reducing the risk of developing other health conditions such as high blood pressure, heart disease and type 2 diabetes.
For example, research has shown that losing just 10% of body weight can result in significant improvements in pain for people with knee osteoarthritis.
If you think you may need to lose weight in order to help your health, speak to your GP for personalised advice.
Support for losing weight
If you need to lose weight to help improve your health, the best way to do this is through exercise and eating a calorie-reduced, healthy and balanced diet.
If you need extra support or motivation when it comes to getting active and losing weight, our weight management hub has tools and advice to help achieve a healthy weight.
The Boots Online Doctor Weight Loss Treatment Service* includes treatment and coaching that can help you achieve long-term weight loss.
If you’re trying to lose weight but struggle with overindulging at certain times (for instance, if you’re celebrating, or treating yourself after a difficult day), take a look at our tips for managing emotional eating.
Thinking about making a change to your eating habits in the form of intermittent fasting to help manage your weight? Find out more about intermittent fasting and whether it has any weight loss benefits. You should always check with your GP before starting a restrictive diet.
If you’re struggling to lose weight, your GP can provide personalised advice.
FAQs
Can body weight cause body pain?
There is evidence to suggest that being overweight can put additional pressure on your joints and also alter the way you move your body, meaning you’re more susceptible to experiencing pain such as joint pain and lower back pain.
Will losing weight help my pain?
There is also evidence to suggest that weight management (losing weight if you’re overweight and then maintaining a healthy weight for your height) may improve the amount of pain you experience.
Do my legs hurt because I'm overweight?
Being overweight can put additional pressure on weight-bearing joints like your knees and hips, so you’re more likely to experience pain in those areas.
What’s the best way to deal with osteoarthritis?
Osteoarthritis is a long-term condition that can’t be cured. The good news is, it doesn’t always get worse over time, and your symptoms can even gradually improve. There are some ways you can help manage symptoms, too.
Some ways to help manage mild symptoms include:
- Getting regular exercise
- Losing weight if you’re overweight
- Wearing appropriate footwear
You may also need pain relief medicines to help manage your pain, and your GP may refer you to a physiotherapist for a structured exercise plan.
Speak to your GP for further advice on living with osteoarthritis.
