HHS HealthBeat (November 11, 2010)

Living with arthritis

From the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, I’m Ira Dreyfuss with HHS HealthBeat.

A study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicates more than 22 percent of American adults live with arthritis, and more than 42 percent have the condition so bad that it limits their activities.

Researcher Jennifer Hootman says the rate of people developing activity limitation is going up faster than the scientists had expected.

Dr. Hootman notes that obesity is one of the leading risk factors for arthritis, and being obese also makes symptoms worse. So she advises people with arthritis:

``They should be physically active, because exercise increases muscle strength and can help support the joints. If you’re overweight, lose weight; if you’re normal weight, maintain your weight.’’ (10 seconds)

The study is in CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.

Learn more at hhs.gov.

HHS HealthBeat is a production of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. I’m Ira Dreyfuss.

Last revised: May 7, 2011