0000000001150378

AUTHOR

Kirsti Husgafvel-pursiainen

The role of obesity and physical activity in non-specific and radiating low back pain: The Young Finns study

Objective To study the effects of obesity, physical activity, and change in physical activity on the incidence of low back pain and explore whether obesity modifies the effects of physical activity. Methods As part of the ongoing Young Finns Study, 1224 subjects aged 24–39 years free from low back pain during the preceding 12 months at baseline in 2001 were included. Obesity was defined based on the body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference, and physical activity was assessed by the metabolic equivalent of task (MET) index in 2001 and 2007. Results Abdominal obesity, defined by an increased waist circumference, was associated with an increased incidence of radiating low back pain (adjus…

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Lifestyle Risk Factors Increase the Risk of Hospitalization for Sciatica: Findings of Four Prospective Cohort Studies

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study is to assess the effects of lifestyle risk factors on the risk of hospitalization for sciatica and to determine whether overweight or obesity modifies the effect of leisure-time physical activity on hospitalization for sciatica. METHODS: We included 4 Finnish prospective cohort studies (Health 2000 Survey, Mobile Clinic Survey, Helsinki Health Study, and Young Finns Study) consisting of 34,589 participants and 1259 hospitalizations for sciatica during 12 to 30 years of follow-up. Sciatica was based on hospital discharge register data. We conducted a random-effects individual participant data meta-analysis. RESULTS: After adjustment for confounding facto…

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