PAIN AND OBESITY

As though we needed another reason to maintain a healthy weight, take a look at the results of a February, 2012 Gallup Poll.  Called the Gallup Healthways Well-Being Index, it surveyed more than one million people in the U.S. and asked them questions about their height and weight and their pain conditions.


There was a large correlation between weight and pain perception.  Weight was graded per BMI into one of three obesity levels as defined by the World Health Organization.  BMI for a normal weight was under 25; overweight, 25-30; obese I, 30-35; obese II, 35-40; and obese III, 40 and above.


Overweight people reported 20% higher pain rate than normal people.  For the obese group the pain perception was 68% higher.  As the weight increased, so did the pain.  For the obese II and III groups the pain was 136% and 254% higher than the normal group.


The survey seems to strongly suggest that obesity alone is a condition that may cause pain, even without the presence of other painful diseases.


If you would like to figure out your BMI (Body Mass Index), here is the formula:

Pounds and inches	Formula: weight (lb) / [height (in)]2 x 703 Calculate BMI by dividing weight in pounds (lbs) by height in inches (in) squared and multiplying by a conversion factor of 703. Example: Weight = 150 lbs, Height = 5'5" (65") Calculation: [150 ÷ (65)2] x 703 = 24.96

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