Abstract
Low back pain and obesity are major public health problems; however, the relationship between body composition and the intensity of low back pain is unknown. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between different anthropometric measures of obesity (weight, body mass index, waist circumference, hip circumference, and waist-hip ratio) and chronic non-specific low back pain (CNLBP). One hundred thirty-two patients suffering from CNLBP participated in the current study. They were suffering from continuous or recurrent localized low back pain for at least three months. Height and weight were measured using a recalibrated stadiometer. Waist circumference and hip circumference were measured using flexible measuring tape. In addition, body mass index, waist-hip ratio was calculated and intensity of pain was rated using visual analog scale (VAS). The intensity of pain was not associated with any of the selected anthropometric measures where P value >0.05 regarding all anthropometeric measures. Weight, body mass index, waist circumference, hip circumference, and waist-hip ratio are not associated with pain intensity in patients with CNLBP. Obesity has limited effect on the intensity of pain in CNLBP patients.