Increased risk of musculoskeletal disability
Raised body weight puts strain on the body's joints, especially the knees, increasing the risk of osteoarthritis (degeneration of cartilage and underlying bone within a joint). There is also an increased risk of low back pain.
- There is a two-way relationship between obesity and disability in adults.
- Obesity is associated with the four most prevalent disabling conditions in the UK: arthritis, back pain, mental health disorders and learning disabilities.
- One third of obese adults in England have a limiting long term illness or disability compared to a quarter of adults in the general population.
- The prevalence of obesity-related disabilities among adults is increasing.
- Adults with disabilities have higher rates of obesity than adults without disabilities.
- For those adults who are disabled and obese, social and health inequalities relating to both conditions may be compounded. This can lead to socioeconomic disadvantage and discrimination.
- The combination of rising obesity and disability has significant implications for health and social care services in England.Obesity may lead to disability as a consequence of increased body weight, associated co-morbidities, environmental factors, or a combination of these.
- Obesity places mechanical stress on joints, increasing the risk of back pain and osteoarthritis which may in turn limit mobility. Some obese people may face difficulties in performing tasks such as walking, climbing steps, driving or dressing. This in turn can lead to physical inactivity, pain and discomfort, functional limitations and mental distress.
- Older people who are obese are at particular risk of joint pain and arthritis and may be less motivated to engage in physical activity if they are concerned about falls and bone fractures.
- Among people with severe obesity, limitations in mobility-related activities have been reported to be between five and nine times greater than for healthy weight subjects.
- A recent UK cohort study of adults with severe obesity found that the prevalence of self-reported disability was strongly associated with BMI, age, the presence of type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome and clinical depression.