Study Probes Obesity And Chronic Pain Links

And about time, too, since fat people hurt us and keep on hurting us.

Though it is well known obese individuals have a high incidence of persistent pain problems, a new study in The Journal of Pain, published by the American Pain Society, reports that comorbid obesity and pain also are linked to family history and mood disorders.

Chronic pain and obesity are rampant in the U.S. and responsible for a significant percentage of physician visits and health care expenditures. Costs related to obesity are estimated at $118 billion a year and for chronic pain the estimate is $70 billion in direct health care expenses and lost productivity. Several studies have shown that overweight persons are at greater risk for chronic pain mainly from increased pressure that excessive weight places on the joints. As a result, the most common pain disorders related to weight are low back pain and osteoarthritis.

Oh. no.

It is another article about them, not us.

Too bad.