The Old Gray Mare

Putting On Those Extra Pounds May Well Damage Joints



Posted: Saturday, December 31, 2011

by The Old Gray Mare
www.DressYourHorse.com

Researchers have been studying the effects of being overweight on bodies for over 15 years. And Folks, the results aren’t so great.

I’m going to talk about how this affects our joints in particular.

Sad thing that was discovered as a result of these studies is that subjecting the body to extra body weight in all likelihood will result in knee replacement or even worse, in hip replacement surgery.

Based on this study, those in the top quarter of BMI (Body Mass Index) were over three times more likely to experience severe joint pain and breakdown, resulting in joint replacement surgery, than others that were in the bottom quarter of the BMI.

The researchers also discovered that body fat and several specific measurements, such as waist circumference, actual fat percentage, total fat mass and body weight, also concluded that joint surgery was most probable in the future.

It is only logical that added weight affects the body. However, the researchers even noted that metabolic factors also contributed to the problems.

Since countless studies as well as this research conclude that weight has a definite adverse effect on our joints, it is obviously to our advantage to streamline somewhat. We might even consider that each pound dropped off our frame is not only one pound less to drag around, but it may well prevent future pain, problems or joint surgery.

We are at a crossroads in time – the New Year is starting and nearly everyone is making resolutions. Why not consider dropping this extra weight. Whether we plan to save our joints or simply feel healthier, losing extra pounds helps our bodies in so many ways.

So lets count some of those: We’ll build strength, flexibility, improve our body mass, and most certainly develop more cardiovascular health. Exercising and better nutrition from a regulated caloric nutritious diet will even give us more pep since we’ll be waking up our metabolisms.

The way I see it, exercising and improving eating habits will work in our favor in many ways. Oh yes. I plan on improving my blood pressure readings as well as a few other factors.

So come on everyone. Lets consider dropping some weight. You may not need to lose as much as I plan to shed, but any weight beats the alternative.


The Old Gray Mare writes for www.DressYourHorse.com and her Blog sites.
Heidi Rucki brings expertise as a horsewoman, dog lover and stained glass/mosaic artist. She is an accomplished freelance writer in the horse industry. Writing online as The Old Gray Mare, many of her current articles can be found on www.DressYourHorse.com. In the past, Rucki wrote for numerous horse organizations including The Connecticut Horse Council. She took early retirement from Phoenix Home Life where she wrote mutual fund prospectuses and was responsible for their submissions to the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Old Gray Mare writes to share knowledge and her love of horses for everyone but especially for novice and new horse owners. Besides her two main websites, she has recently published three new blog sites. Of those, her favorite is www.BeautyOfHorses.com.
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Top-level comments on this article: (1 total)
» left by Christofer French
 126 days 6 hours ago.
73 fans.
Great article. Good scientific approach and so practical for us Americans! Nicely handled at a time when people are "altert" to this topic.
» left by The Old Gray Mare 126 days 1 hour ago.
52 fans. Follow The Old Gray Mare on twitter!
I'm a believer. Forty or fifty pounds over the norm is just too much. It could be worse but now is the time to understand what the extra weight can do. I have never had a problem with my knees but now I know I have them - because they ouch now and then. I attribute it to some of the extra pounds. I plan on fixing that problem. Thanks for reading and commenting.
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