That was the conclusion of a study that made headlines across the country. The Spread of the Obesity Epidemic in the United States, 1991-1998, JAMA Vol. This is the revolutionary life work of Dr. Kenneth Blum Ph.D., from the University of North Texas. Click Here for more information. Arthritis is a disease of epidemic proportions, but it has been around for so many centuries that it is considered by most people as a part of growing old or a consequence of physical injury.
Arthritis is in fact a far more complex disease than is generally known.
For instance, Dorland's Medical Dictionary describes 27 different types of arthritis, and that does not include such diverse conditions as systemic lupus erythematosus, scleroderma, fibromyalgia, and numerous other conditions which some authorities consider to be types of arthritis. One authority states that there are approximately 100 causes for arthritis. Arthritis is thought to affect more than 50 million Americans, and is generally accepted to be the leading cause of movement limitation and disability. It deserves and receives a great deal of research and medical attention. There are hundreds of drugs, procedures, and medical aids and devices directed at coping with the many manifestations of the disease.