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Scanning Skeletal Remains for Bone Mineral Density in Forensic Contexts
Published on: January 29, 2018
Lower bone mass in prepubertal overweight children with prediabetes
Norman K Pollock1, Paul J Bernard, Karl Wenger
1Department of Pediatrics, Georgia Prevention Institute, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta, GA, USA. NPOLLOCK@mail.mcg.edu
Summary
Overweight children with prediabetes have lower bone mass. Central adiposity, not total body fat, negatively impacts bone development in these children.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Endocrinology
- Metabolic Bone Disease
- Childhood Obesity
Background:
- Conflicting findings exist regarding the fat-bone relationship in children.
- Metabolic abnormalities in obese children may influence bone health.
- Prediabetes is an emerging concern in overweight youth.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare bone mass in prepubertal overweight children with and without prediabetes.
- To investigate associations between bone mass and adiposity measures, glucose intolerance, and insulin sensitivity.
- To determine the impact of central versus total adiposity on bone development.
Main Methods:
- Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) for bone mineral content (BMC), fat-free soft tissue mass (FFST), and fat mass (FM).
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) to assess visceral adipose tissue (VAT) and subcutaneous abdominal adipose tissue (SAAT).
- Oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) to identify prediabetes and assess glucose and insulin levels.
Main Results:
- Overweight children with prediabetes had 4% lower total-body BMC than those without prediabetes (p=0.03).
- Total fat mass (FM) was positively associated with BMC (β=0.16, p=0.01).
- Central adiposity measures, VAT (β=-0.13, p=0.03) and SAAT (β=-0.34, p=0.02), were inversely associated with BMC.
Conclusions:
- Prepubertal overweight children with prediabetes are at risk for impaired skeletal development.
- Central adiposity, particularly visceral and subcutaneous abdominal fat, appears detrimental to bone development in this population.
- Metabolic status, specifically prediabetes, may be a critical factor in the fat-bone relationship during childhood.
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