Obesity is an epidemic, and has an array of associated health consequences. But, in what ways might it impact the spinal cord? Discover the link between the two, right here…
Did you know that there are some surprising links between the spinal cord and the amount of excess weight the body carries? Well, we’re about to let you in on some more information.
Of course, spinal injury compensation can be sought out if you experience an injury to your back that could have otherwise been avoided in hospital. That said, if your own unhealthy lifestyle becomes the cause of your back troubles, the same can’t be said.
This is why negating any potential spinal injuries before they happen is paramount. As an obese person, it’s important that you read up on how this extra weight may have an impact on your spinal cord. In this article, we’ll provide some of the answers, so take a look…
What Classes as “Obesity”?
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), “overweight and obesity are defined as abnormal or excessive fat accumulation that may impair health”. This is calculated using the Body Mass Index (BMI) calculations of weight-for-height (kg/m2). Anyone with a BMI greater than or equal to 25 is deemed to be obese.
BMI has received a lot of backlash in recent years, due to ignoring the propensity for muscle mass. However, the WHO claims that “BMI provides the most useful population-level measure of overweight and obesity as it is the same for both sexes and for all ages of adults.” It’s really just a rough guide, and should be taken into consideration with other factors.
Obesity Stats Across the World
The UK Parliament website indicates that obesity in the UK is a growing problem. In fact, in 2019, 28 percent of the adult population were classed as “obese”, with almost 10 percent of children at reception age joining this group.
In the US, this epidemic is even worse, with over 42 percent of the population being obese between the years 2017 and 2018. According to the WHO, these rates have tripled since 1975, making obesity one of the biggest killers in the world right now; the fifth leading cause of deaths worldwide.
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What Health Issues Can Obesity Cause?
According to the NHS, obesity can cause a number of physical and mental problems, including:
- Breathlessness
- Tiredness
- Joint pain
- Back pain
- Sweating
- Snoring
- Difficulty doing physical activity
- Low confidence and self-esteem
- Feelings of isolation
These are just the tip of the iceberg; symptoms that manifest themselves on the surface.
However, we can’t forget about the severe health impacts that obesity can have on the internal organs and body. From cardiovascular diseases, including heart disease and stroke, to diabetes, to musculoskeletal disorders, like osteoarthritis, and even various cancers, the impact is detrimental.
The list truly does go on. If you take a look at the NHS article linked above, you’ll get a sense of the true impact.
How Are Obesity and Spinal Injury Linked?
We’ve touched a little upon how obesity can affect the skeleton, but how might it have a greater impact on the spinal column? Research shows that it might be having a worse impact than we initially think. Here are some ideas about the link between obesity and back injuries:
Obesity Causing Back Pain
Studies in the BMJ Journal have looked into obesity as a cause for lower back pain (LBP). Their findings imply that “being overweight or obese in early adulthood as well as during the life course increases the risk of radiating but not non-specific LBP among men.” But why?
Well, the spinal cord is responsible for carrying the body’s weight, distributing loads during rest time and physical activity. When there is excess weight on the body, the spine takes the burden, which can lead to long-term damage. Because of this, being obese can significantly contribute to musculoskeletal problems, including:
- Weakened muscles
- Spine curvature
- Spine compression
- Osteoporosis
- Osteoarthritis
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Degenerative disc disease
- Spinal stenosis
- Spondylolisthesis (where vertebras slip out of place)
- Sciatica
- Other spinal injuries
The lower back is particularly susceptible to these issues.
Spinal Injuries Causing Obesity
It’s not just obesity that causes strain on the back, but there is also evidence to show that there is a link between spinal injury and becoming obese. Although this might seem surprising, it actually makes a lot of sense considering the “concurrent development of sarcopenia and decreased metabolic rate, limited mobility, and diminished levels of activity”.
For those who have experienced a spinal injury, it’s paramount that they seek medical advice to counteract any potential for gaining large amounts of weight.
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Reducing the Obesity Epidemic is the Only Solution
In this article, we’ve taken a look at some obesity statistics, as well as the myriad of health complications that may arise from it. We’ve also explored some of the many ways in which obesity might cause back problems, and even spinal injuries. Then, we had a look at how those with spinal cord injuries might be more at risk of developing obesity.
Clearly, there are more links between the two than we might have first thought. The risks of being overweight should, therefore, not be underestimated.
Please be advised that this article is for general informational purposes only, and should not be used as a substitute for advice from a trained medical professional. Be sure to consult a medical professional or healthcare provider if you’re seeking medical advice, diagnoses, or treatment. We are not liable for risks or issues associated with using or acting upon the information on this site.