Only about 3 out of 10 Texans with arthritis walk at least 90 minutes a week, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).
About 6 out of 10 arthritis sufferers in Texas do not walk at all in a given week, according to a CDC survey.
The state’s rates are below the national average.
Walking is the most preferred exercise among arthritis patients and has been shown to improve arthritis symptoms, physical function, walking pace, and quality of life.
Walking contributes to total physical activity and is an appropriate activity to increase overall physical activity levels among adults with arthritis.
The Arthritis Foundation is expecting about 2,000 participants in its annual 3.5-mile Arthritis Walk at 10 a.m. Saturday at 12700 Park Central in Dallas. Participants walk in honor of a friend or family member with arthritis. People with arthritis wear blue hats. May is Arthritis Awareness Month.
Pam McGill, Dallas-based regional vice president of mission programs for the Arthritis Foundation, said, “We need to get the 3.9 million Texans living with arthritis involved in physical activities. Texas exceeds the national median by substantial margin for those living with arthritis and reporting no leisure-time physical activity.”
The 90-minute threshold was based on the minimum amount of weekly walking shown in a randomized controlled trial to lower pain (27 percent decrease) and improve function (39 percent increase) among adults with arthritis. It is also the typical amount of walking achieved in the Arthritis Foundation’s Walk With Ease program, which is three days a week for about 30 minutes.
Walking is a low-impact, acceptable, convenient and inexpensive activity for adults with arthritis and is an appropriate activity to increase overall physical activity.
In every state, more than half of adults with arthritis do no or little walking per week. Prevalence of walking less than 90 minutes a week ranged from 58 percent in California to more than 76 percent in Tennessee.
Studies by the Thurston Arthritis Research Center and the Institute on Aging at the University of North Carolina show that Walk With Ease is proven to:
- Reduce the pain and discomfort of arthritis.
- Increase balance, strength and walking pace.
- Build confidence in your ability to be physically active.
- Improve overall health.
The only local Walk With Ease program is at Town North YMCA at 4332 Northaven in Dallas. The six-week program was begun there earlier this year.
About 50 million Americans – or about 1 out of 5 U.S. adults – have been diagnosed with arthritis. That number is expected to rise to 1 out of 3 adults by 2030 as the entire baby boomer generation becomes elderly. About half of those over age 65 have arthritis.
Arthritis is also the nation’s most common cause of disability. Nearly 21 million Americans say they have activity limitations because of the condition.
Two-thirds of diagnosed arthritis patients are under 65. Of those, about 4 out of 10 have work limitations because of it.
Arthritis is composed of more than 100 rheumatic diseases and conditions. Osteoarthritis, the most common form, mostly affects the cartilage. Cartilage is the slippery tissue that covers the ends of bones in a joint. Healthy cartilage allows bones to glide over each other and absorbs the shock of movement. In osteoarthritis, the top layer of cartilage breaks down and wears away as people age. This allows bones under the cartilage to rub together.
Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease that can develop at any age. Common symptoms for both include pain, aching, stiffness, and swelling in and near the joints.
In 2003, the total cost of arthritis was $128 billion, including $81 billion in medical costs and $47 billion in lost earnings. The condition results in nearly one million hospitalizations annually. Nearly half of the hospital discharges are for knee replacement procedures.
Exercise is an effect way to combat arthritis. However, those with the condition find physical activity a challenge. More than half of U.S. adults with diabetes or heart disease also have arthritis. This impedes chronic-disease management. Fewer than 1 out of 7 men and 1 out of 12 women met the federal physical activity guidelines of 150 minutes of moderate exercise a week. Exercise can reduce pain, lessen joint stiffness, increase strength and increase mobility. This is contrary to a common myth that people with arthritis need to rest their joints.
Weight loss is also an important component of arthritis management. A loss of 15 pounds can cut knee pain in half and reduce disability. About 2 out of 3 arthritis patients are overweight or obese, which puts excess stress on joints.
Steve Jacob is editor of D Healthcare Daily and author of the book Health Care in 2020: Where Uncertain Reform, Bad Habits, Too Few Doctors and Skyrocketing Costs Are Taking Us. He can be reached at [email protected].
