News

Newly reported research findings noted in this Health Day story link women's weight issues with a higher propensity to have fibromyalgia, a disease noted by widespread pain lasting more than three months.  The pain strikes so-called "tender points" in the neck, shoulders, back, hips, arms and legs and is often accompanied by fatigue without apparent cause, mood disturbances, sleep problems and headaches. it Women are affected more often than men.

While fibromyalgia's exact causes are still uncertain, the study determined that exercise and a healthy body weight were found to be protective. Women who reported exercising four times per week [or more] had a 29 percent lower risk of fibromyalgia compared with inactive women.  Those who exercised two to three times a week were about 11 percent less likely to get fibromyalgia.  Being overweight -- with a BMI of 25 or higher -- was a strong independent risk factor, according to the researchers.