Obesity has become one of the main health concerns worldwide. With 57% of the Spanish population affected and more than one billion people worldwide, obesity is reaching alarming levels. This condition not only affects the quality of life of those who suffer from it but also carries significant health risks, such as cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and bone problems, among others. In this article, we will discuss how obesity impacts bone health, exploring the main pathologies it can trigger and providing key tips for caring for and preserving bone health.
Main causes of obesity
The causes of this trend may be varied, although the food industry has largely contributed to its growth with the development of increasingly refined and ultra-processed products. These products, rich in sugars, saturated fats, and salt, are not only addictive but also lack essential nutrients, which contributes to weight gain and long-term poor health. Furthermore, busy modern lives mean that many people lack the time to take care of their daily routines. eat a healthy diet and exercise regularly, encouraging a sedentary lifestyle. This lack of time, combined with the increasingly sedentary environment in which we live, makes it difficult to adopt healthy habits, encouraging the consumption of fast food and a lack of physical activity. In today's society, excess weight has an immensely greater impact than people often think; its consequences can even lead to lifelong consequences if measures are not taken in time.
Influence of obesity on bones and joints
The diseases most commonly associated with obesity and overweight These are those that occur mainly at the cardiovascular level, such as heart problems, diabetes, and even social problems due to the inability to perform certain activities that other people without being overweight do. However, little is said about the problems that this brings as a consequence. disease to the health of the skeletal and muscular systemExcess weight can have short- and long-term consequences for bone and joint structures. While bones have a certain capacity to adapt to additional load, over time, this overload can lead to joint degeneration, especially in areas such as the knees, ankles, and hips, which bear the greatest body weight. As body weight increases, bones are forced to withstand additional pressure, which can lead to deformities and joint problems such as osteoarthritis. Furthermore, bone fragility can increase, increasing the risk of fractures. Maintaining a healthy weight is key to avoiding these problems and promoting a higher quality of life.Bone diseases caused by being overweight
As we've mentioned, being overweight can trigger a wide variety of bone problems. Below, we'll analyze some of the most common diseases associated with excess weight and how they impact bone health.Fibromyalgia due to overweight
This pathology generates pain and fatigue in certain muscles of the body's sensitive areas such as the legs, neck, shoulders, hips, and back. Although the causes of this condition are unknown, it has been found that approximately half of the people who suffer from it are obese, and another large proportion are overweight. It is estimated that around 70% of people who have fibromyalgia are overweight in some way. Furthermore, the pain and fatigue that characterize this condition are exacerbated by the lack of sleep and fatigue that comes with obesity. This condition generally leads to increased difficulty and pain when exercising, resulting in a vicious cycle in which the patient becomes increasingly sedentary.
Osteoporosis due to obesity
Osteoporosis, characterized by increased porosity in bones, is commonly associated with being underweight. However, it is rarely mentioned that being overweight can also negatively affect this condition. Being overweight disrupts the body's hormonal and chemical balance, making it difficult to arrival of calcium to the bones. Since calcium is essential for bone metabolism, its deficiency can contribute to the development of osteoporosis due to obesity. Find out how to prevent this and other types of osteoporosis in our article on this disease.Rheumatoid arthritis due to obesity
Rheumatoid arthritis is an inflammatory disease that affects the joints. swelling that arthritis produces in the joints can be exacerbated by excess weight. In fact, approximately 75% of people with rheumatoid arthritis are also obese or overweight. fat tends to increase inflammation, in addition to generating greater stiffness in the joints that carry more weight than a person with a normal body mass index.Lower back pain due to being overweight
The weight overload on the spine in people with obesity can be a significant risk factor for development of low back pain. Numerous studies have shown that overweight people are more likely to suffer from back problems, such as lower back pain and herniated discs, due to the excess weight on the spine.Gait disturbances due to overweight
Although not a disease in itself, gait disturbances are a common consequence of obesity in people. These disturbances are the result of progressive wear and tear on musculoskeletal structures due to lack of exercise and muscle strengthening. People with obesity tend to suffer from biomechanical alterations in your joints and lower extremities that constitute the appearance of this problem.Fractures due to obesity in children
It has been shown in multiple studies that Children with obesity problems have a greater tendency to suffer bone fractures Given the overload they endure, the lack of activity, sedentary lifestyle, and/or poor diet that characterizes overweight children leads to weakened bones, which can be problematic, especially during their growth stage.
