Fig. 2

Diet-induced obesity reduces grip strength but does not alter behavior in tail suspension. a During tail suspension, the duration of time spent by mice immobile, in full extension, rearing or self-supported was quantified. No significant differences were detected between diet groups at any of the time points assessed. b Stretch-evoked discomfort was assessed using the open field assay, in which the total distance covered in 5 min immediately before (pre) and after (post) the 3 min tail suspension assay was quantified. Obesity induced by the high-fat and western diets did not alter behavior of mice in open field compared to age-matched chow-fed controls at any of the time points assessed. However, a significant difference was seen between mice fed a high-fat and western diet at the 40-week timepoint. c Grip force during axial stretch was reduced in obese mice. Mice fed the high-fat diet showed a significant decrease in grip force at the 12- and 40-week time points compared to age-matched chow-fed controls. Mice fed the western diet showed a significant decrease in grip force compared to age-matched chow-fed controls at all time points. n = 9–16 animals per timepoint, per diet. Data are plotted mean ± 95% CI; data points for each mouse are graphed within each group. *P < 0.05, **P < 0.01, ***P < 0.001 by 2-way ANOVA