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Fibromyalgia
Association between physical exercise, body mass index, and risk of fibromyalgia: Longitudinal data from the Norwegian Nord-Trøndelag Health Study
Article first published online: 29 JAN 2010
DOI: 10.1002/acr.20118
Copyright © 2010 by the American College of Rheumatology
2151-4658/asset/cover.gif?v=1&s=99f93947936b57af85b021ad2c0cd12fa8d21444 "Arthritis Care & Research")
Additional Information
How to Cite
Mork, P. J., Vasseljen, O. and Nilsen, T. I. L. (2010), Association between physical exercise, body mass index, and risk of fibromyalgia: Longitudinal data from the Norwegian Nord-Trøndelag Health Study. Arthritis Care Res, 62: 611–617. doi: 10.1002/acr.20118
Publication History
- Issue published online: 29 APR 2010
- Article first published online: 29 JAN 2010
- Accepted manuscript online: 29 JAN 2010 12:00AM EST
- Manuscript Accepted: 19 JAN 2010
- Manuscript Received: 14 JUL 2009
- Abstract
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Abstract
Objective
To examine the association between leisure time physical exercise, body mass index (BMI), and risk of fibromyalgia (FM).
Methods
A longitudinal study with baseline assessment of physical exercise (frequency, duration, and intensity) and BMI was used to explore the risk of having FM at 11-year followup in a large, unselected female population (n = 15,990) without FM or physical impairments at baseline.
Results
At followup, 380 cases of incident FM were reported. A weak dose-response association was found between level of physical exercise and risk of FM (for trend, P = 0.13) where women who reported the highest exercise level had a relative risk (RR) of 0.77 (95% confidence interval [95% CI] 0.55–1.07). BMI was an independent risk factor for FM (for trend, P < 0.001), and overweight or obese women (BMI ≥25.0 kg/m2) had a 60–70% higher risk compared with women with normal weight (BMI 18.5–24.9 kg/m2). Overweight or obese women who exercised ≥1 hour per week had an RR of 1.72 (95% CI 1.07–2.76) compared with normal-weight women with a similar activity level, whereas the risk was >2-fold higher for overweight or obese women who were either inactive (RR 2.09, 95% CI 1.36–3.21) or exercised <1 hour per week (RR 2.19, 95% CI 1.39–3.46).
Conclusion
Being overweight or obese was associated with an increased risk of FM, especially among women who also reported low levels of physical exercise. Community-based measures aimed at reducing the incidence of FM should emphasize the importance of regular exercise and the maintenance of normal body weight.