How Chronic Pain Makes Us Fat–and What to Do About It

Research shows altered neural circuits that affect eating habits in patients with chronic pain.

Chronic pain can lead to overeating, which can cause obesity and inflammation that contribute to chronic pain.Explode/Shutterstock

While it is well-known that obesity can lead to chronic pain, especially in major joints, it may be surprising to hear that the reverse is also true. Chronic pain can lead to obesity, and not just because of its debilitating effects.

Pain and obesity are close partners. About 20 percent to 45 percent of overweight or obese people report pain, and people who experience widespread pain have more fat than those not reporting pain.