Research
Mixed
Weight loss of at least 10% body weight significantly reduces knee osteoarthritis pain and improves physical function in obese adults, regardless of the method used (exercise, diet, or surgery).
If you have knee osteoarthritis and are overweight, losing 10% or more of your body weight is the most effective way to reduce pain and improve function. You can achieve this through diet, exercise, or surgery. Combining exercise with diet often yields the best results. Start with supervised, low-impact activities to overcome fear of movement.
GoodSupportsHIGH confidence
In obese adults, achieving ≥5% loss of body weight will relieve some joint pain, but a loss of at least 10% of body weight is associated with moderate to large clinical improvements in joint pain [56].
Why this rating
Based on multiple RCTs and meta-analyses cited, though the paper is a review.
Source
Obesity and Weight Loss in the Treatment and Prevention of Osteoarthritis
Heather K. Vincent et al. · PM&R · 2012
narrative_reviewCited 220×
Read the paper 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 →