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Comorbidities

Comorbidity occurs when a person has more than one
disease or condition at the same time. Conditions described as comorbidities are often chronic or long-term conditions. Other names to describe comorbid conditions are coexisting or co-occurring conditions and sometimes “multimorbidity” or “multiple chronic conditions.”

Arthritis and obesity

Arthritis may be a barrier to physical activity among adults who are obese. Being physically active, for example, through aerobic exercise or strength training, can benefit people with arthritis or obesity and especially people with both conditions.

What are the benefits of increased physical activity for people who are obese?
People who are obese and physically inactive can experience many benefits from becoming more physically active. Benefits of physical activity for obese people include:

  • Better weight control
  • Reduce your risk of diabetes, heart disease, and other comorbidities
  • Improved mood
  • Strengthen muscles and bones.

Physical inactivity is more common in adults who have both arthritis and obesity compared with people who
only have one or neither condition. Physical inactivity puts people at greater risk for complications from
chronic conditions.