Weight loss

Suggested

2 studies · 1 recommendation

Last updated: February 20, 2026

Suggested2 studies

Weight loss reduces osteoarthritis risk and improves joint pain and physical function

Two studies spanning a phenome-wide Mendelian randomisation analysis of 337,536 UK Biobank participants and a systematic review of 21 RCTs establish a clear link between body weight and osteoarthritis. The genetic analysis confirmed that higher BMI causally increases osteoarthritis risk, with the association surviving Bonferroni correction (p<5.4×10⁻⁵) and showing consistency across five sensitivity methods. The systematic review found that exercise interventions achieving weight loss produced significant improvements in musculoskeletal pain and physical function among obese populations with osteoarthritis. Combined evidence supports weight loss through regular exercise as both a preventive measure and an effective treatment for osteoarthritis symptoms in at-risk and affected individuals.

Evidence

A data-driven approach for studying the role of body mass in multiple diseases: a phenome-wide registry-based case-control study in the UK Biobank

Authors: Biener, Bowden, Burgess, Burgess, Burgess, Bycroft, Chaker, Chiolero, Cronin, Davies, Denny, Dixon, Gkatzionis, Hartwig, Hemani, Kulkarni, Lau, Locke, Michailidou, Millard, Nyberg, Panoutsopoulou, Ruhl, Schoemaker, Sudlow, Sun, Todd, Tyrrell, Verbanck, Verma, Wills, Xu

Published: January 1, 2019

The phenome-wide Mendelian randomisation study involving 337,536 participants identified a causal effect of BMI on osteoarthrosis. Using a genetic risk score of 76 BMI-related variants, the study demonstrated that higher genetically determined BMI increases osteoarthrosis risk. The association passed stringent multiple testing correction (Bonferroni p<5.4×10⁻⁵) and showed consistent estimates across at least four of five sensitivity analysis methods.

View Source →

Common exercise prescription for management of weight and osteoarthritis : a systematic review : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Sport and Exercise at Massey University, Wellington, New Zealand

Authors: Barrow, Dylan

Published: January 1, 2018

Systematic review of 21 RCTs confirmed that obese populations face increased risk for developing osteoarthritis. Three studies specifically examined combined obesity and osteoarthritis populations. Exercise interventions achieving weight loss also resulted in significant improvements in musculoskeletal pain and physical function. The review concluded that exercise and weight loss are effective treatments for obesity and musculoskeletal symptoms and should be recommended to all at-risk individuals. Studies included only RCTs with non-exercise control groups in participants aged 18-50.

View Source →