Effects of Obesity and Low Back Pain on Spinal Mobility: a Cross Sectional Study on Women

Effects of Obesity and Low Back Pain on Spinal Mobility: a Cross Sectional Study on Women
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Obesity is the accumulation of excess fat according to world health organization. Impairment of the spine can be caused by obesity. Obesity can cause Osteoarthritis (Fransen, et al.2002). The occurrence of lower back pain (LBP) on women is observed to be 22% on an approximate figure of 6000 adults of 60 years and above who are obese. Obese women with LBP are more likely to have low spinal mobility. Those who do not experience chronic low back pain rarely get any spinal problems. There is evidence to show that obese women have difficulty in most of the daily movements e.g. bending, walking, and standing up. Research has not been done however to show the relationship between obesity and spinal mobility (Mellin, et al 1993). Research suggests that obese women with aim of reducing weight also reduce musculoskeletal pain in that process. Obese women who are overweight have disc degeneration at the MRI (magnetic resonance imaging).There is no adequate research to show the relationship between obesity and the impairment of the spine. This could bring about weakness and stiffening of lumbar muscles and the result could be LBP or disability. Stiffening of the thoracic spine in obe...