Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 12, 2026

Scanning Skeletal Remains for Bone Mineral Density in Forensic Contexts
Published on: January 29, 2018
Update on body composition and bone density in children with Prader-Willi syndrome
Daniela A Rubin1, Natalia Cano-Sokoloff, Diobel L Castner
1Department of Kinesiology, California State University, Fullerton, Calif. 92834, USA. drubin@fullerton.edu
Aim:
To compare body composition in children with Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) not naïve to growth hormone (GH) with obese and lean controls.
Methods:
Participants included 12 children with PWS, 12 children with obesity (body fat percentage >95th percentile for age and sex) and 12 lean children (body fat percentage <85th percentile for age and sex) matched by age and height. Fat mass, lean mass, bone mineral content (BMC), bone mineral density (BMD) and BMD z-score for total body, hips and lumbar spine were obtained through dual X-ray absorptiometry.
Results:
PWS had higher fat percentage in the legs (p = 0.04) but similar leg fat mass (p = 1.00) compared to obese. PWS exhibited lower lean mass in the body (p = 0.04) and legs (p = 0.02) than obese, but similar to lean (p = 1.00 and p = 0.89, respectively). PWS had lower hip BMC (p < 0.01), BMD (p < 0.01) and BMD z-score (p < 0.01) compared to obese but similar to lean. No other differences were found between PWS and obese (p > 0.05 for all).
Conclusions:
Children with PWS not naïve to GH present differences in fat and lean mass distribution compared to obese controls. BMC and BMD appear unaffected by PWS, except at the hips.
Related Concept Videos
Bone Disorders
Bone deposition is also affected by the levels of sex hormones like estrogen and testosterone that promote osteoblast activity and bone matrix synthesis. When the level of these hormones decreases due to aging, it causes a reduction in bone deposition. As a result, bone resorption by osteoclasts...
Changes in the Appendicular Skeleton with Age
Initially, the limb buds consist of a core of mesenchyme covered by a layer of ectoderm. The ectoderm at the end of the limb bud thickens to form a narrow crest called the apical ectodermal ridge. This ridge stimulates the underlying...
Bone Remodeling
Hormones and Bone Tissue
Hormones That Influence Osteoblasts and/or Maintain the Matrix
Several hormones are necessary for controlling bone growth and maintaining the bone matrix. The pituitary gland secretes growth hormone (GH), which, as its name implies, controls bone growth. This happens in several ways: first, it triggers chondrocyte...

