Activity, Rheumatoid and Osteoarthritis, and Weight Management

The purpose of the study was to implement well-developed guidelines for arthritis management beyond acute medical management to independent community living by modifying existing weight management and physical activity promotion programs for people with disabling arthritis. Our hypotheses were: 1. Existing individual, health care system, and community strategies to promote physical activity and weight management can effectively be modified and expanded to include those with debilitating joint diseases. 2. People with inflammatory joint disease can have healthy physical activity levels and weight at home and in the community. 3. The effect of these interventions will be higher quality of life, lower depression rates, modest pain levels, and functional independence.