Does overweight or obesity cause spinal curvature?

The spine is the pillar of the body, with the function of supporting and keeping the body balanced. The spine of obese people has to bear more pressure and is susceptible to early degeneration and damage.

Weight gain puts great pressure on the skeleton – the body’s support. Excess weight causes excess fat in the abdominal area to increase rapidly, pulling the pelvis forward, causing the spine to curve too deeply inward. Tightened back muscles cause pain in the lumbar region, with a high likelihood of developing spinal arthritis. Obese people are also susceptible to curvature, causing problems such as hunchback and scoliosis.

Movement positions, whether standing, sitting or walking, all involve the use of the spine. In each position, body weight acts on the disc with different pressures. The higher the pressure, the greater the risk of spinal damage. Specifically, spinal pressure when bending is higher than when standing upright. The pressure on the spine is greatest when bending over and carrying heavy objects. The heavier you are, the more pressure your spine is under, easily leading to misalignment and pain.

Not only is the spine affected, obese people are also susceptible to common bone and joint diseases such as herniated discs, arthritis, osteoporosis, cervical spondylosis, spondylolisthesis, etc. The larger the spine, the more affected it becomes. Not only that, being overweight and obese also reduces bone density, increasing the risk of osteoporosis. Overweight and obese people with type 2 diabetes have a higher risk of bone fractures than normal.

You weigh 77 kg but it is not clear how tall you are, you are likely overweight or obese. You should see a doctor for examination and treatment of obesity if necessary. If you are overweight, losing excess weight will help reduce pressure on the musculoskeletal system, reduce the risk of affecting the spine as well as prevent dangerous complications caused by overweight and obesity.