3 reasons your arthritis risk is higher than grandma’s was [slideshow]

3. A sedentary lifestyle

So, we’ve already established that weight is not behind the surprising surge in osteoarthritis that’s taken place in the past 80 years or so. But that doesn’t mean a sedentary lifestyle isn’t.

Sure, being sedentary and being overweight are connected. But being sedentary comes with its own health risks regardless of what the number on the scale says. In fact, a 2016 study found that (contrary to popular belief) running actually reduces joint inflammation and may be able to prevent osteoarthritis.

Why? Because exercise strengthens the muscles and tissues around your joints, which support your bones and take pressure off your joints.

And guess what else exercise impacts? Your metabolism. It wards off the metabolic issues (like high blood sugar, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, large waist circumference, insulin resistance and diabetes) that we talked about earlier. So it’s fighting osteoarthritis on two fronts.

Now, there’s no denying people are more sedentary today than they were before World War II. Fewer people had cars then, so they did a lot more walking. People didn’t spend hours a day in front of a computer or TV. Even everyday chores were less automated and therefore required a bit more elbow grease and muscle. Could this change be behind our modern challenge with osteoarthritis? It’s highly possible.

Read: ‘Train’ your body for arthritis pain relief, flexibility, and strength