Mixed
The association between high BMI and musculoskeletal symptoms is modified by physical workload, being stronger in employees with low physical workload than in those with high physical workload, particularly for lower extremity symptoms.
If you have a sedentary job, carrying extra weight poses a significantly higher risk for joint pain (especially in legs/knees) than if you have a physically demanding job. This might be because physical work builds muscle that protects joints. However, obesity still increases risk in high-workload jobs, just less dramatically.
The association was modified by physical workload, with a stronger association for employees with low physical workload than for those with high physical workload.
Why this rating
Large sample size and stratified analysis provide robust evidence for the interaction effect.
Source
The relation between body mass index and musculoskeletal symptoms in the working population
Laura Viester et al. · BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders · 2013
DOI 10.1186/1471-2474-14-238
Related findings · Mixed
- Bariatric surgery (VSG and RYGB) is the most effective and sustainable treatment for obesity, producing marked and sustained weight loss that non-surgical interventions cannot match.Strong
- Severely protein-deficient diets (2–3% energy) induce lean body mass loss and metabolic imbalance, whereas adequate protein intake (0.66 g/kg/d minimum) is a prerequisite for maintaining muscle, bone, and physiological function.Strong
- For patients with Class III obesity (BMI >39.9 kg/m2), metabolic bariatric surgery (MBS) is significantly more effective than any currently approved medication, with BilioPancreatic Diversion (BPD) showing the highest estimated weight loss.Strong
This is one finding among thousands. Every one is graded and traced to its source, so you can see what the evidence actually supports. Browse the research →