Restless legs syndrome (RLS), a neurological disorder associated with unpleasant feelings in the legs that make it almost impossible to remain still, is 42% more likely to occur in obese men and women than in adults of normal weight, according to a Harvard Medical School study released on Monday.  When excess weight is centered in the abdomen, the likelihood of RLS jumps to 60%.

When a person with RLS is at rest, the legs are plagued with  irresistible sensations that can be relieved temporarily by repositioning.  Relief is only temporary, though, interrupting rest and sleep as the legs require almost constant movement.  The cause of RLS is unknown at this time but dopamine, a brain chemical that regulates movement, is thought to be involved.  In fact, the disorder is often treated with medications that increase dopamine activity.

The Harvard research team examined more than 88,000 adults in the United States and found the disorder is more likely to occur in obese patients than in those of normal weight.  Obesity is also linked to lower dopamine action in the brain, leading researchers to suggest obesity is a risk factor for development of RLS although further studies would be required to prove conclusively that this is the case, according to Dr. Xiang Gao, lead researcher for the study.

Gao offers the possibility that multiple factors are at play, including the greater risk of cardiovascular disease in overweight individuals.  The possibility exists that blood vessel dysfunction may be involved with RLS, too.

Full details of Gao’s study are in the current issue of the journal, ‘Neurology.’