Staying active reduces arthritis in later life

Older women could protect themselves from arthritis and other conditions later in life by keeping physically active and adopting other healthy habits, says research published in Age and Ageing.

Data from over 2,500 women aged 60–79 years found that those who never exercised had double the risk of arthritis, were twice as likely to develop problems walking and were more likely to have heart disease.

The report reminds women of the importance of a healthy lifestyle when seeking to stave off the risk of arthritis, which affects around ten million people inthe UK.