Getting in and out of bed may be second nature, but for a growing number of Americans it is becoming more difficult.
A recent study by the Rand Corp. and the University of Michigan shows a rising proportion of people aged 50 to 64 with mobility problems. Area physicians say they're seeing more midlife patients with these problems now than ever before.
"It seems to be a trend in the last five years or so," said Dr. Richard Brackett, a rheumatologist at Brackett Rheumatology. "Younger people are hurting -- 40-year-olds complaining like they were 60-year-olds."
The study analyzed data from the 1997 to 2007 National Health Interview Survey, which annually asks thousands of Americans about a broad range of health issues.
People age 50 to 64 most often attributed their lack of mobility to back or neck problems, diabetes, depression, anxiety and arthritis, according to Rand.
Local physicians and physical therapists say they think the underlying problem is weight related.
"The things that are happening to middle-age people are really related to a lack of exercise and obesity," said Dr. Ann Rybolt, a geriatrician with the Department of Internal Medicine at the University of Tennessee College of Medicine in Chattanooga who also works with Hospice of Chattanooga. "We have a real epidemic of obesity that's causing an incredible amount of increased health problems."
For the past 10 years, Dr. Rybolt has been working in an outpatient clinic where she sees patients of all ages. She said there aren't many common illnesses that could cause people in this age range to have such problems, leaving obesity as the probable cause.
Dr. Joseph Huffstutter, a rheumatologist at Arthritis Associates, has been practicing medicine in Chattanooga for 25 years. He said he has noticed more midlife people complaining of arthritic symptoms. He said osteoarthritis is becoming more prevalent in adults at younger ages.
"It used to be that we didn't see it until they were actually Medicare age," he said. "And we're seeing that a little more often, and I think that has to do with people who are heavier."
Physical therapist Dana Near, with HealthSouth Chattanooga Rehabilitation Hospital, said people need to "try to exercise and walk as much as they can." She said being active is the best preventive medicine when it comes to tackling mobility problems, but for patients who are already less mobile, she tries to teach easier ways to do everyday tasks.
"You can just sit up on the side of the bed and you don't really think about it," she said. "But when you're having some weaknesses and trouble, we may have to teach you to roll on your side and pull your legs off the bed and push up -- kind of break things down into steps so it's a little easier."
DATA HIGHLIGHTS
* The proportion of Americans aged 50 to 64 who report mobility-related difficulties or need help with daily personal care activities has risen.
* More than 40 percent of people in that age range reported having problems with at least one of nine physical functions.
* Common problems included difficulty standing for two hours, walking a quarter mile or climbing 10 steps without resting.
* The cause of the increase is unclear, but between 2005 and 2007, the most common causes for mobility issues were arthritis or rheumatism.
* People who reported these issues said they began in their 30s and 40s.
Source: Rand Corp.