If older adults who are overweight or obese have knee arthritis, carrying less weight means their knees feel less force when they walk — and that’s backed by solid data.

If older adults who are overweight or obese and don't move much have less weight, their knees may twist less when they walk — which could be easier on their joints.

If you're an older adult who doesn't move much and has extra weight plus knee arthritis, carrying more body weight means your knees get squished harder when you walk.

If older adults who are overweight or obese and have knee arthritis lose 1 kilogram of weight, their knees experience less strain when walking — about 1.4% less stress per kilo lost — which might help protect the inner part of the knee.

If older adults with extra weight and knee arthritis lose 1 kilogram, their knees experience about 4 times less force with each step — which could really add up to less wear and tear over time.

If someone with severe obesity loses about a third of their body weight, their knees experience nearly two times less pressure when walking — meaning their joints get a lot more relief than the weight they lost would suggest.