We all know that losing weight means a healthier life, but researchers are now categorizing physical inactivity as a disease.
Dr. Stephen Messier from Wake Forrest University is one of the keynote speakers at the 10th annual Spring Conference of the University of Kentucky’s Center for Clinical and Translational Science. He works with patients suffering from osteoarthritis in their knees, which is the leading cause of disability in older adults. Messier says what’s become an even bigger issue is the age where problems begin. “We got people who are in the 40 to 60 range that we are seeing changes in their knees that we used to see in 65-year olds. Our first study was 65 and older, our second study was 60 and older and now we’re 50 and older.”
Messier and other experts say it all comes down to one thing, obesity, and the only way to change your outcome is to stay active. “As we get older, when we lose our mobility, things go downhill really rapidly. So try the best you can to keep moving.”
More than 750 doctors, students, and policy makers shared research at this year’s conference.