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Pain sensitivity and obesity.

M J McKendall, R J Haier

    Psychiatry Research
    |February 1, 1983
    PubMed
    Summary

    Obese individuals exhibit heightened pain sensitivity compared to nonobese individuals. This finding suggests a link between body weight, pain perception, and endogenous opiate regulation of appetite.

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    Area of Science:

    • Neuroscience
    • Psychology
    • Endocrinology

    Background:

    • Endogenous opiates modulate mood and pain perception.
    • Emerging research links endogenous opiates to ingestive behaviors in humans and animals.
    • Obesity is a complex condition with potential neurobiological underpinnings.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To investigate the relationship between obesity and pain sensitivity.
    • To explore the role of endogenous opiates in the ingestive behaviors of obese individuals.

    Main Methods:

    • A comparative study involving obese (BMI ≥ 130% IBW) and nonobese control groups.
    • Pain sensitivity was assessed using a standardized pressure device on the index finger.
    • Subjects reported the onset of pain and the urge to withdraw their finger.

    Main Results:

    • Obese subjects demonstrated significantly greater pain sensitivity than nonobese subjects.
    • A statistically significant difference in pain thresholds was observed between the two groups.
    • These findings support the hypothesis linking weight differences to endogenous opiate pathways.

    Conclusions:

    • Obesity may be associated with altered endogenous opiate system function.
    • Endogenous opiate regulation of ingestive behavior could differ between obese and nonobese individuals.
    • Further research is warranted to elucidate the precise mechanisms involved.

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