Narrative Review of Obesity and Musculoskeletal Health

Alberta Jeanne N.

 

School of Applied Health Sciences Kampala International University Uganda

ABSTRACT

Obesity has emerged as a global health epidemic and a major determinant of musculoskeletal (MSK) morbidity across the lifespan. This narrative review synthesizes epidemiological, biomechanical, metabolic, and clinical evidence to elucidate how excess adiposity affects the structure and function of the musculoskeletal system. Obesity is strongly associated with a higher prevalence and severity of osteoarthritis, intervertebral disc degeneration, foot and ankle disorders, sarcopenic obesity, and chronic back pain. Mechanical loading alone cannot fully explain these relationships, as adipose tissue acts as an active endocrine organ producing adipokines and proinflammatory mediators that impair cartilage integrity, alter bone remodeling, and contribute to chronic pain. Metabolic comorbidities, including insulin resistance, dyslipidaemia, and systemic inflammation, further compromise skeletal homeostasis and muscle quality. Site-specific effects are noted across the spine, hip, knee, ankle, and peripheral joints, with the knee demonstrating the most consistent obesity-related structural deterioration. The bidirectional nature of obesity and MSK disorders is increasingly recognized, as musculoskeletal pain limits physical activity and may reinforce weight gain. Evidence from rehabilitation studies demonstrates that tailored exercise interventions, weight management strategies, and targeted nutritional or pharmacological therapies can improve pain, function, and overall musculoskeletal health. However, substantial gaps remain, including limited longitudinal data, inconsistent measurement of adiposity, and underexplored mechanisms linking metabolic syndrome, sarcopenic obesity, and degenerative joint disease. This review underscores the need for integrated clinical, public health, and policy interventions to mitigate the burden of obesity-related musculoskeletal disorders and improve functional outcomes across populations.

Keywords: Obesity and Musculoskeletal Disorders, Osteoarthritis and Joint Degeneration, Sarcopenic Obesity, Adipokines and Inflammatory Pathways, and Mechanical Loading and Skeletal Health.

CITE AS: Alberta Jeanne N. (2026). Narrative Review of Obesity and Musculoskeletal Health. IDOSR JOURNAL OF SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH 11(1):52-59. https://doi.org/10.59298/IDOSRJSR/2026/11.1.5259