Obesity can have a major impact on weight bearing joints such as the hips and knees.

New research suggests that losing weight may also help reduce the effects of another medical condition – osteoarthritis.

The research published in the Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons suggests that obesity triggers changes in both a person’s biochemistry; for instance it causes inflammatory changes around jointed areas of the body.

Osteoarthritis is not only a painful condition, but also one that affects an individual’s mobility.

Ryan C Koonce, one of the authors of the literature review looking into the potential breakthrough of osteoarthritis, says that there’s a clear link between obesity and osteoarthritis, and the link is both from biomechanical factors as well as systemic factors. He claims that the systemic component appears to be significant.

The research also found that obesity increases wear and tear more than previously thought. It is adipose tissue (WAT), an endocrine organ that can prompt inflammation. Obesity is a fundamental cause of hypertension, and there is a strong link between pain in soft tissue and obesity.

Scientists believe that encouraging people to lose weight can have a significant effect on most, if not all of the above related factors.

Jonathan T. Bravman, assistant professor in the Dept. of Orthopaedics at the University of Colorado states that it’s important that doctors are aware of the different ways that obesity causes arthritis, not only for treatment but for prevention of the condition as well.

Mr. Brayman added that we are underutilising weight loss as a primary treatment option for arthritis and joint pain.

Obesity is a growing problem in the West, with sugar and poor diet being the main factors.