HS Lam, AM Li, DFY Chan, J Yin, E Wong, RYT Sung, EAS Nelson

Abstract

Purpose: To investigate the association between bone mineral density (BMD) and anthropometric and body compositional characteristics in obese Chinese children. Methods: 100 obese children (73 boys and 27 girls) were recruited (age range 9 to 17 years, median BMI 31 kg/m²). All children underwent dual- energy X-ray absorptiometry to measure body composition and BMD and bone mineral apparent density (BMAD) of the whole body, lumbar vertebrae and femoral neck. Findings: Percentage total body fat and BMI were useful predictors for BMD in boys. Increasing % ideal BMI was associated with increases in all BMD values (P<=0.001) except femoral neck BMAD z score (P=0.113). Increasing percentage body fat was associated with decreases in all BMD values (P<=0.002), except for femoral neck BMAD z score (P=0.058). Data for girls were insufficient for multivariate analyses. Conclusion: Increasing adiposity is associated with decreased BMD and BMAD in obese boys. Conversely, in this group, increasing body size, when corrected for % body fat was associated with increasing BMD and BMAD.