Those extra pounds could harm your back

- Calendar of Events

Those extra pounds could harm your back

Updated:

HealthMore>>
U.S. teens heading for heart trouble
U.S. teens heading for heart trouble
Many American teenagers, including some with a normal, healthy weight, already have one or more risk factors for heart disease, researchers say.More >>
Many American teenagers, including some with a normal, healthy weight, already have one or more risk factors for heart disease, researchers say.More >>
Drowning is leading cause of kids' accidental death
Drowning is leading cause of kids' accidental death
Drowning kills more American children 1 to 4 years old than any cause except birth defects, according to a new federal report.More >>
Drowning kills more American children 1 to 4 years old than any cause except birth defects, according to a new federal report.More >>
8 all-natural allergy remedies
8 all-natural allergy remedies
In addition to over-the-counter and prescription medications, there are a few additional moves that can help ease the sniffles, sneezes and watery eyes of seasonal allergies.More >>
In addition to over-the-counter and prescription medications, there are a few additional moves that can help ease the sniffles, sneezes and watery eyes of seasonal allergies.More >>
Possible link between certain sunscreens, endometriosis
Possible link between certain sunscreens, endometriosis
A preliminary study links chemicals found in certain sunscreens to a higher risk of endometriosis.More >>
A preliminary study links chemicals found in certain sunscreens to a higher risk of endometriosis, but it's too soon to say whether there's any reason for women to change their habits.More >>
Being obese may make job search tougher
Being obese may make job search tougher
It was the small square photo clipped to an applicant's resume that most influenced whether a woman would be hired. More >>
It was the small square photo clipped to an applicant's resume that most influenced whether a woman would be hired. But there was a hidden catch: The pictures showed the same six women both before and after weight-loss.More >>
Could nasal spray of 'love hormone' treat autism?
Could nasal spray of 'love hormone' treat autism?
Children with autism given a squirt of a nasal spray containing the hormone oxytocin showed more activity in brain regions involved with processing social information.More >>
Children with autism given a squirt of a nasal spray containing the hormone oxytocin showed more activity in brain regions known to be involved with processing social information, a small study found.More >>
Dinosaurs may have suffered from arthritis
Dinosaurs may have suffered from arthritis
Dinosaurs may have suffered from arthritis, new research says.More >>
Dinosaurs may have suffered from arthritis, new research says.More >>
FDA panel to consider at-home HIV test
FDA panel to consider at-home HIV test
Should Americans be able to buy a test at the drugstore and use it to determine whether they're infected with the virus that causes AIDS?More >>
Should Americans be able to buy a test at the drugstore and use it to determine whether they're infected with the virus that causes AIDS?More >>
Does your child have seasonal allergies or a cold?
Does your child have seasonal allergies or a cold?
It can be difficult during the spring months for parents to determine whether their children have a cold or seasonal allergies.More >>
It can be difficult during the spring months for parents to determine whether their children have a cold or seasonal allergies, but an expert outlines how to tell the difference.More >>
Employment prospects dim for young adults with autism
Employment prospects dim for young adults with autism
Young adults with an autism spectrum disorder are less likely to continue their education or get a job after high school.More >>
Young adults with an autism spectrum disorder are less likely to continue their education or get a job after high school when compared to young adults with other disabilities, new research indicates.More >>

DietingDieting And Your Health NewsMore>>
Is the Dukan diet right for you?
Is the Dukan diet right for you?
Is this French diet the answer to America's weight-loss dreams?More >>
Is this French diet the answer to America's weight-loss dreams?More >>
It's not just what you eat, it's when you eat
It's not just what you eat, it's when you eat
While most of the research on diet and obesity focuses on what people eat, a new study in mice suggests that more attention should be given to when people eat.More >>
While most of the research on diet and obesity focuses on what people eat, a new study in mice suggests that more attention should be given to when people eat.More >>
Being obese may make job search tougher
Being obese may make job search tougher
It was the small square photo clipped to an applicant's resume that most influenced whether a woman would be hired. More >>
It was the small square photo clipped to an applicant's resume that most influenced whether a woman would be hired. But there was a hidden catch: The pictures showed the same six women both before and after weight-loss.More >>
Tyra Banks applauds Vogue's efforts to help young women, but is it really enough?
Tyra Banks applauds Vogue's efforts to help young women, but is it really enough?
Tyra Banks is toasting Vogue for pledging to promote healthy body image, but while the plan is a step in the right direction, what does it really mean for the future?More >>
Tyra Banks is toasting Vogue for pledging to promote healthy body image, but while the plan is a step in the right direction, what does it really mean for the future?More >>
Weight-loss surgery may also help menstruation, skin, hair
Weight-loss surgery may also help menstruation, skin, hair
Obese women often stop getting their periods, but new research suggests weight-loss surgery can help regulate their monthly cycles.More >>
Obese women often stop getting their periods, but new research suggests weight-loss surgery can help regulate their monthly cycles, while also stemming excessive hair growth and skin problems.More >>
FDA panel gives blessing to new weight-loss drug
FDA panel gives blessing to new weight-loss drug
An advisory panel to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Thursday recommended approval of the weight-loss medication lorcaserin, even though concerns remain about cardiovascular side effects.More >>
An advisory panel to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Thursday recommended approval of the weight-loss medication lorcaserin, even though concerns remain about cardiovascular side effects.More >>
Can testosterone therapy help obese men lose weight?
Can testosterone therapy help obese men lose weight?
Older obese men with low levels of testosterone can lose weight when levels of the male hormone are restored to normal, a new study suggests.More >>
Older obese men with low levels of testosterone can lose weight when levels of the male hormone are restored to normal, a new study suggests.More >>
Why you overeat even when you're full
Why you overeat even when you're full
A group of Italian researchers has uncovered evidence that regardless of how "full" a person may feel, the body is hard-wired to overeat when tempted by yummy foods.More >>
A group of Italian researchers has uncovered evidence that regardless of how "full" a person may feel, the body is hard-wired to chemically reward itself by overeating when tempted by yummy foods.More >>
Dieters share success strategies
Dieters share success strategies
Many obese Americans who try to lose weight are successful, at least short-term, using traditional methods, according to a new study.More >>
Could unroasted coffee beans help you shed pounds?
Could unroasted coffee beans help you shed pounds?
When taken as a supplement, unroasted -- or green -- coffee-bean extract can help people shed pounds, according to a small preliminary study.More >>

MONDAY, Jan. 30 (HealthDay News) -- Overweight and obese adults are at significantly increased risk for lumbar spine disc degeneration, a potential cause of low back pain, researchers say.

Previous research has linked having a higher body-mass index (BMI), which is a measurement that takes into account a person's height and weight, to reports of low back pain. This type of pain can affect physical and mental well-being, limit mobility, reduce quality of life and is associated with substantial financial costs for both the patient and the health care system.

The new study included more than 1,000 men and nearly 1,600 women aged 21 and older from southern China. Overall, 73 percent of the participants had lumbar disc degeneration, but the condition was more common in men than women (76 percent vs. 71 percent) and more prevalent among older people, according to the study in the new issue of the journal Arthritis & Rheumatism.

Seven percent of the study participants were underweight, 48 percent were in the normal weight range, 36 percent were overweight and 9 percent were obese, the investigators noted.

"Our research confirms that with elevated BMI there is a significant increase in the extent and global severity of disc degeneration. In fact, end-stage disc degeneration with narrowing of the disc space was more pronounced in obese individuals," Dr. Dino Samartzis, of the University of Hong Kong, said in a journal news release.

As people gain weight, disc degeneration may begin to occur due to physical loading on the disc, the study authors suggested. In addition, fat cells may play a role by causing chronic low-grade inflammation, they noted.

"Since overweight and obesity are worldwide concerns whose prevalence continues to rise, our study's findings have considerable public health implications. If these issues continue to plague society, they can further affect spine health leading to low back pain and its consequences," Samartzis said.

Disc degeneration is a complex process and future studies that investigate risk factors for the condition should take into account the effects of being overweight or obese, the researchers recommended.

More information

The U.S. National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases has more about back pain.

*DISCLAIMER*: The information contained in or provided through this site section is intended for general consumer understanding and education only and is not intended to be and is not a substitute for professional advice. Use of this site section and any information contained on or provided through this site section is at your own risk and any information contained on or provided through this site section is provided on an "as is" basis without any representations or warranties.

Cash Bash
Here's your chance at $12,000 IN CASH! Daily winners receive a $250 Visa gift card.More >>
Watch Action 2 News at Ten for a chance at $12,000 IN CASH! Daily winners receive a $250 Visa gift card.More >>
Dream Screen Giveaway
Suess Electronics and Action 2 News This Morning bring you a Dream Screen Giveaway with all the bells and whistles!More >>
Suess Electronics and Action 2 News This Morning bring you a Dream Screen Giveaway with all the bells and whistles!
More >>
Dancing with the Stars
Wide receiver Donald Driver has been helping the Green Bay Packers win, and now it's our turn to help Donald Driver win! DANCING WITH THE STARS is back and you're in the Driver's seat! Watch ABC's DancingMore >>
Wide receiver Donald Driver has been helping the Green Bay Packers win, and now it's our turn to help Donald Driver win!More >>
StormCenter 2
AllergyTrack
Track daily levels of pollen and mold with our AllergyTrack graph. Includes cumulative pollen counts for the past seven years.More >>
WBAY-TV Joins the Live Well Network
"Live Well" with WBAY-TV channel 2.3 -- health, beauty, travel, food, and more.
More >>
Download the Action 2 News Android app
News, weather, and more Coverage You Can Count On... and take with you!More >>
Download the Action 2 News iPhone & iPad app
Take Action 2 News On the Go with your iPhone and now the iPad with an all-in-one app! News, weather, health, and more!
More >>
Be WBAY's Facebook Fan of the Day
The WBAY Facebook Fan of the Day is announced every day on Action 2 News This Morning following the Morning Birthday Club. Join WBAY on Facebook (click here). You could be our next Facebook Fan of theMore >>
Join WBAY on Facebook. You could be our next Facebook Fan of the Day!More >>

WBAY-TV Green Bay-Fox Cities-Northeast Wisconsin NewsThose extra pounds could harm your back

Those extra pounds could harm your back

Video Gallery

HealthMore>>

DietingDieting And Your Health NewsMore>>

StormCenter 2