Obesity and chronic pain are both linked with family history and mood
disorders.
Previous research has shown that overweight people are at higher risk for chronic pain, mainly due to excessive wear and tear of the joints due to the extra weight. The common pain disorders related to overweight and obesity are low back pain and osteoarthritis. To determine how family history and psychological factors influence the relationship between obesity and chronic pain, researchers examined data from 3,471 American twins, whose socio-demographic data, current height and weight, chronic pain diagnoses and symptoms and their depression episodes were recorded.
It was found that overweight and obese twins were more likely to report low back pain, tension-type or migraine headache, fibromyalgia, abdominal pain and chronic widespread pain than normal-weight twins after adjustment for age, gender and depression.
It was noted that depression and behavioral factors play a role in obesity and pain. Depressed people are often sedentary, which can lead to obesity and contribute to acute pain becoming chronic pain.
This study shows that family history and depression play a significant role in contributing towards obesity and chronic pain.
Previous research has shown that overweight people are at higher risk for chronic pain, mainly due to excessive wear and tear of the joints due to the extra weight. The common pain disorders related to overweight and obesity are low back pain and osteoarthritis. To determine how family history and psychological factors influence the relationship between obesity and chronic pain, researchers examined data from 3,471 American twins, whose socio-demographic data, current height and weight, chronic pain diagnoses and symptoms and their depression episodes were recorded.
It was found that overweight and obese twins were more likely to report low back pain, tension-type or migraine headache, fibromyalgia, abdominal pain and chronic widespread pain than normal-weight twins after adjustment for age, gender and depression.
It was noted that depression and behavioral factors play a role in obesity and pain. Depressed people are often sedentary, which can lead to obesity and contribute to acute pain becoming chronic pain.
This study shows that family history and depression play a significant role in contributing towards obesity and chronic pain.