​New Study Finds Fibromyalgia Symptoms More Severe in Obese Patients

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In an ongoing effort to share the latest health and wellness news to promote community health, NextGen Nutritionals has released the following free report. Read more here.

Surprising evidence has uncovered a link between obesity and increased severity of Fibromyalgia, a chronic source of universal body pain for approximately 6 percent of people in the U.S., which is commonly presented as “tender points” throughout the body and overwhelming fatigue, as well as mental health challenges, such as depression, cognitive impairment, insomnia, and bowel and bladder irritability.


The Arthritis Foundation reports an alarming eighty percent of people in America who suffer from fibromyalgia are also obese — with a number of progressive studies reporting obesity in combination with fibromyalgia can have a devastating effect on life quality, including and increase in pain and symptoms. Being overweight can lead to inactivity, and the two factors actually increase risks for developing fibromyalgia.


In the latest study, researchers utilized the body mass index (BMI) tool to measure the statistics of obesity through examining the height and weight of 888 patients who had been diagnosed with fibromyalgia. Obesity is recognized and diagnosed with a BMI score of 30 and greater. The study found approximately 50 percent of the participants were obese and 25 percent were severely obese – based on a BMI score above 35.


Dr. Terry Oh, study author at the department of physical medicine and rehabilitation at the Mayo Clinic, said, “This was the first study to look at distinct groups of obese patients and determine how weight gain correlates with levels of symptoms and quality of life. We see an association between body mass index with symptom severity and quality of life in patients with fibromyalgia.”


The findings also support the need for including weight-loss initiatives as an integral component of new treatment strategies for overweight patients with fibromyalgia.


Anne Greenberg, spokesperson for NextGen Nutritionals, empathizes with those who suffer from fibromyalgia, and understands how the symptoms can lead to challenges in unwanted weight gain, “It is often a vicious circle, the pain, fatigue, insomnia, and generally feeling unwell, can inhibit one’s ability to engage in normal physical activity that promotes a healthy regulation of weight. This can have a direct impact on metabolism and the ability for the body to use fat and calories for energy.”


NextGen Nutritionals is a health and wellness company focused on educating the community on the benefits of naturally maintaining health with essential nutrients, shown in countless research studies to have a positive impact on the body’s vital system functions and well-being. Learn more at http://www.nextgennutritionals.com/uncategorized/fibromyalgia-obese-patients


Release ID: 90261