More weight lost, more relief
- Published in
- Arthritis Care Res 2016
- People studied
- 1,383
In 1,383 people with knee osteoarthritis in an 18-week programme, the more weight they lost the better their symptoms, with about 8% needed for a noticeable gain in function.
- Checked against
- PubMed 26784732
- Published in
- Arthritis Care Res 2016
- Last checked
- 30 October 2026
Key takeaway
1,383 people with knee osteoarthritis, most of them with obesity, joined an 18-week community weight-loss programme. Pain and function improved step by step with the share of body weight lost. On average, people needed to lose about 7.7% or more of their weight for an improvement in function they would notice.
At a glance
- Type of study
- 18-week community weight-loss programme, no comparison group
- People studied
- 1,383
- How long
- 18 weeks
- Main result
- About 7.7% weight loss needed for a noticeable gain in function.
- Strength of evidence
- Small or uncontrolled studies
What this study does not show
No comparison group, and only people who finished the programme were analysed. The 7.7% estimate is uncertain: anywhere from about 5% to 13%.
Results from studies in groups of people, mostly in diet and movement programmes. They cannot be promised to any one person. This information is educational and does not replace a consultation with a doctor.
More on joints
- Less load on the kneeLong-term or observational studies · Messier et al., Arthritis Rheum 2005
- Lower risk of knee arthritisLong-term or observational studies · Felson et al., Ann Intern Med 1992
- Easier movementRandomised trials · Christensen et al., Ann Rheum Dis 2007
- Less knee painRandomised trials · Messier et al., JAMA 2013
- Slightly less knee painRandomised trials · Messier et al., JAMA 2022
- Better mobilityRandomised trials · Rejeski et al., NEJM 2012
- More weight lost, more reliefSmall or uncontrolled studies · Atukorala et al., Arthritis Care Res 2016
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