Obese adults with arthritis are 44 per cent more likely to be physically inactive than obese people who do not suffer from the painful disease that causes inflammation and stiffness of the joints, according to a new report.

According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report for May 20, arthritis is common in adults who are obese, and arthritisrelated joint pain may reduce or discourage physical activity among obese adults.

The report says that arthritis affects 35.6 per cent of obese adults in the US and that it may be a "potential barrier" that prevents the exercise that could lead to weight loss.