Obesity and jogging habits behind the rise in osteoarthritis in younger people

The number of younger Australians suffering with osteoarthritis has doubled, new research has found.

The Medibank Better Health Index has blamed obesity and jogging habits as the two reasons why the condition is increasingly being seen in 25 to 29 year olds.

‘What we are seeing is osteoarthritis used to be something that people got in the older age but it’s happening in younger generations it’s a very concerning trend,’ Medibank chief medical officer Linda Swan said.

Dr Swan said running on concrete, and not giving joints a break with a lighter exercise like swimming was cause for concern.

Click PLAY to listen to Dr Swan explain more on 3AW Breakfast