Apples for Health- Exercise Help GI Symptoms In Obese

Exercise Help GI Symptoms In Obese

Increasing physical activity may reduce gastrointestinal symptoms in obese sufferers, according to a study released Monday.

The study, published in the journal Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology, found that a high body mass index (BMI) and physical inactivity both contribute to symptoms of GI problems such as stomach pain, diarrhea, constipation and irritable bowel syndrome.

Researchers from the University of Washington and the University of Minnesota found that a high BMI, a common measure of obesity, was associated with worsened symptoms of irritable bowel, diarrhea and abdominal pain. Obese people who incorporated some form of physical activity into their routine suffered less from these symptoms than those who were inactive, the study concluded.

"Potential reduction of GI symptoms is yet another reason for obese people to consider engaging in physical activity," Dr. Rona L. Levy, lead author and professor at the University of Washington, told United Press International. "It could mean the difference between leading a normal life or leading one filled with constant discomfort."

Obesity, defined as a BMI of 30 or higher, has become a major health problem in the United States with an estimated one-third of adult Americans considered obese. Researchers report a positive correlation between obesity and GI complications, and many patients who are seen by gastroenterologists -- doctors who treat digestive problems -- are overweight or obese.

The average BMI of the study's participants was 33, while a BMI of 18-25 is considered normal.

While the study's authors note their results are only applicable to those considered obese, the implications may be useful for all sufferers of GI dysfunction.

Participants were asked questions about daily activity ranging from minutes spent exercising to frequency of stair use, and responses suggested that those who were active experienced more relief from GI symptoms than those who were not.

All respondents were involved in a managed healthcare program, and many had recently undertaken new exercise and eating habits.

"Our study is the first to show the benefit of maintaining these healthy habits and staving off the occurrence of GI symptoms in obese people," said Levy. "These findings have future implications for the treatment of both obesity and various GI disorders and symptoms that are more prevalent in this population."

These implications could also help patients trying to lose weight who may be unaware of present GI problems. Levy pointed out that the discomfort caused by GI symptoms might be a reason many people do not exercise in the first place, so an awareness of the connection between exercise and GI health can be helpful to doctors treating these patients.

"Physicians might consider encouraging people with GI problems to exercise as one potential method to address their problems. On the other hand, those who are encouraging exercise for weight control might need to take into account the fact that GI symptoms might have an impact on the amount of exercise people engage in."

It is not known precisely how exercise might act to reduce GI symptoms.

Levy said it could be a physical response in which the GI system changes its functioning, or simply that exercise creates a sense of wellbeing so sufferers focus less on their symptoms. She stressed, however, that the mechanics of the process are beyond the scope of the findings and are purely speculative.

Data used in the study was collected from 1,801 men and women enrolled in a 24-month randomized trial.