Spotlight

Arthritis as a Potential Barrier to Physical Activity Among Obese Adults—United States, 2007 and 2009

Arthritis is a common comorbidity affecting 31% of obese adults.

CDC analyzed combined 2007 and 2009 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) data to better understand if arthritis could be a barrier to physical activity among obese adults. Results indicate that in the United States, the prevalence of physical inactivity was highest among those with both arthritis and obesity (22.7%) when compared with arthritis only (16.1%) obesity only (13.5%) and neither condition (9.4%) (Figure 1). CDC found that obese adults with arthritis were 44% more likely to be physically inactive compared with obese adults without arthritis. This study also showed that in every state, the prevalence of physical inactivity among adults with obesity was at least 5 percentage points higher (range=5.4% to 15.9 %) among those with arthritis than those without arthritis.

Arthritis might be a special barrier to increasing physical activity among obese adults. Low impact activities such as walking, swimming, and biking are generally safe and appropriate for obese adults with arthritis and can have a role in both weight and pain reduction. Evidence-based physical activity arthritis programs are offered in many communities for those who want more guidance.

Reference

Barbour KE, Hootman JM, Murphy LB, Helmick CG. Arthritis as a Potential Barrier to Physical Activity Among Obese Adults—United States, 2007 and 2009.  MMWR 2011;60(19):614–618. html  pdf [1.7MB]

Additional Information

• Healthy Weight
• Weight-control Information Network (WIN)
• Physical activity programs for arthritis
• Physical Activity and Arthritis Tips
• National Institutes of Health Clinical Guidelines for the Identification, Evaluation and Treatment of Overweight and Obesity in Adults [PDF - 1.25MB]