Indore (Madhya Pradesh): The modern lifestyle, characterised by irregular eating habits, long working hours, and a lack of physical activity, is taking a serious toll on joint health, warned orthopaedic specialist Dr Ankush Agarwal during a workshop titled "Save Your Joints" at the Madhav Srishti campus.
Organised by the Shri Guruji Seva Nyas, the workshop emphasised the growing prevalence of joint-related ailments due to poor dietary choices, lack of exercise, and excessive strain on joints.
Dr Agarwal highlighted that junk food consumption and nutritional deficiencies caused by irregular eating patterns are major contributors to joint pain and obesity, which in turn lead to further complications.
He also pointed out that excessive use of jointsówhether through strenuous physical activity or prolonged sittingócan cause inflammation and long-term damage.
Contrary to popular belief, he stressed that joint pain is not limited to ageing individuals; even young people are increasingly experiencing joint discomfort due to sedentary lifestyles and poor posture.
A recent study published in The Lancet Rheumatology journal predicts that by 2050, over a billion people worldwide will suffer from musculoskeletal disorders, marking a 115% increase from 2020.
The study underscores the urgent need for lifestyle modifications to prevent joint-related issues, he said in the workshop.
Experts recommend regular physical activity, maintaining a healthy weight, staying hydrated, and adopting proper posture to preserve joint health. Simple daily habits, such as taking stairs instead of elevators, incorporating stretching exercises, and consuming an anti-inflammatory diet, can help reduce the risk of joint problems.
Dr Agarwal also debunked common myths, stating that cold weather does not worsen joint pain and that movement is essential to keeping joints healthy.
