RESEARCH - Obesity may raise risk of fibromyalgia

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Obesity May Raise Risk of Fibromyalgia

But Study Shows Exercise May Offset the Fibromyalgia Risk of Obese Women

By Mann

WebMD Health News

Reviewed by J. , MD

April 29, 2010 -- Overweight and obese women -- especially those who

do not exercise at all or exercise for less than an hour a week -- are

at higher risk for developing the widespread pain disorder

fibromyalgia, according to new research in the May issue of Arthritis

Care & Research.

" Being overweight or obese was associated with an increased risk of

fibromyalgia, especially among women who also reported low levels of

leisure time physical exercise, " the researchers conclude.

" Community-based measures aimed at reducing the incident of

fibromyalgia should emphasize the importance of regular physical

exercise and maintenance of normal body weight. "

Fibromyalgia affects an estimated 10 million people in the U.S. and is

marked by widespread pain and tender points along the body, extreme

fatigue, sleep problems, depression, and problems with cognition,

according to the National Fibromyalgia Association. Other suspected

risk factors for fibromyalgia include stressful or traumatic events

such as an automobile accident, family history, or the presence of

rheumatic diseases such as lupus.

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Read the full article here:

http://www.webmd.com/fibromyalgia/news/20100429/obesity-may-raise-risk-of-fibrom\

yalgia

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