Childhood obesity can increase risk of osteoarthritis in adulthood

Obesity in childhood and adulthood can raise the risk of knee and hip osteoarthritis, according to a study. “Obesity in both childhood and adulthood is an important public health issue,” said Professor Johannes W. Bijlsma, EULAR President.

Results of the study indicated that adult body mass index (BMI) significantly increased the prevalence of self-reported OA, knee OA or hip OA by 2.7%, 1.3%, and 0.4% per unit (1 kg/m2) increase in BMI respectively. Childhood BMI significantly increased the prevalence of self-reported OA, knee OA or hip OA by 1.7%, 0.6%, and 0.6% per BMI unit respectively.

“Our results suggest the effect of adult BMI seems to be stronger on knees, whilst childhood BMI might impact both knee and hip osteoarthritis risk similarly,” said Professor Prieto-Alhambra (senior study author). “Interestingly our findings contradict previous studies that found an association between obesity and hand osteoarthritis.”

The study appears in the journal Annals of Rheumatic Diseases.

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