by

Joseph

Are you physically inactive, overweight and suffering from chronic pain? A Norwegian study recently published in the American Journal of Epidemiology says there is a greater risk of chronic neck and lower back pain among obese people who don' t exercise. They based their conclusion on the results  of an extensive health study known as the Nord-Trondelag Health Study (HUNT).

During the intial study which took place between 1984-1986, Paul J. Mork and his team collected data from 30,000 men and women who reported no pain or physical impairment. Researchers then followed these people and assessed the occurrence of chronic musculoskeletal pain in subjects who participated in the 1995 - 1997 health study. During the ten plus years of the study, Norwegian scientists collected information about how many hours of exercise the men and women performed each week as well as the number of participants who reported chronic neck and back pain.

The results of the study were that obese men and women were 20 % more likely than the general population to experience chronic pain in the neck/shoulders and lower back. But Mork's team also determined that participating in physical exercise "for 1 or more hours per week compensated, to some extent, for the adverse effect of high BMI on risk of chronic pain."

What Does This Mean To You?

This shouldn't come as a surprise to anyone. Other research has found a link between pain and obesity. For instance, last February we reported on the findings of a Harvard study wherein investigators determined that obesity worsened osteoarthritis pain in the elderly (for more on this, read my article "Obesity Worsens Osteoarthritis Pain, Lowers Quality of Life in Older Americans"). But before people jump to conclusions and accuse overweight people of being lazy, things aren't always so cut and dry. Interestingly, there is evidence that obesity may actually interfere with a person's ability to exercise (read my article "Vicious Cycle: Is Metabolic Syndrome Interfering With Your Ability To Exercise?"). Some people will avoid exercise altogether because it causes them so much pain.

 So what should you do if you find yourself in this situation? First of all, make an appointment with your doctor to set up a fitness program that is tailored to your physical condition. Then stick with it. It's easier to reach long-term goals when people establish simple, short-term ones. You'd be surprised at how much you can accomplish when you set your mind to it.

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Article Sources

Nilsen et al. Physical Exercise, Body Mass Index, and Risk of Chronic Pain in the Lower Back and Neck/Shoulders: Longitudinal Data From the Nord-Trondelag Health Study. American Journal of Epidemiology (2011)

The Nord Trondelag Health Study. Norwegian University of Science and Technology. http://www.ntnu.edu/hunt

"Got Pain? Obesity and Lack Of Exercise Could Be The Reason" copyright 2011 Living Fit, Healthy and Happy_(SM). All Rights Reserved.

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