Bone mineral mass in overweight and obese children: diminished or enhanced?

Acta Diabetol. 2003 Oct:40 Suppl 1:S274-7. doi: 10.1007/s00592-003-0085-z.

Abstract

Childhood obesity has become a worldwide health problem. Recent studies have suggested that obese and overweight children have lower bone mass. We used dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry to examine the relation between bone mineral content (BMC) and body fatness (%Fat) in healthy children. Obese children (%Fat>30%) had higher BMC compared with age-, gender-, and ethnic-matched children with normal adiposity (%Fat<25%). When adjusted for height, these differences were less significant. We conclude obese children do not have lower whole-body BMC when compared with leaner children, even when adjusted for height, age, gender, and ethnicity.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adipose Tissue / chemistry
  • Body Composition
  • Body Weight / physiology*
  • Bone Density / physiology*
  • Child
  • Ethnicity
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Obesity / physiopathology*
  • Reference Values
  • United States