July 2005

1 pound lost = 4 pounds less stress on the knee

Researchers at Wake Forest University have found a significant association between weight loss and reduction in compressive knee-joint loads. Their findings indicate that for every 1 pound of weight lost, there is a 4-pound reduction in the load exerted on the knee for each step taken during daily activities.

The study, featured in the July 2005 issue of Arthritis & Rheumatism, was conducted on overweight and obese people with osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee. OA is the leading cause of disability in the United States, and for OA of the knee the most important modifiable risk factor is obesity. Both the American College of Rheumatology and the European League Against Rheumatism recommend weight loss and exercise to reduce the painful and incapacitating symptoms of knee OA.

Source: Source: Eureka Alert!, http://www.eurekalert.org

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