Washington,
Feb 2 (ANI): Contrary to the fact that weight loss leads to decreased
bone mineral density, researchers have found that bone mineral content
in obese adolescents keeps on increasing despite weight loss.

The study conducted at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia examined 62 adolescents between 9 and 17 years of age.

The
participants went through a trial looking at the effectiveness of a
comprehensive, family-based, behavioural weight control program
combined with a weight loss drug, sibutramine.

The
researchers used dual energy X-ray absorptiometry scanner (DXA), and
looked at the specific body areas including legs, arms and lumbar spine
as well as the bone mineral content of the whole body. The data was
then compared with a reference group of 66 adolescent

The findings revealed that bone mineral content continues to increase in this adolescent population despite weight loss.

“The
growing pediatric obesity epidemic raises important clinical and public
health questions about the effects on lifelong bone health of early
onset obesity and its treatment,” said Dr. Nicolas Stettler, M.S.C.E.,
pediatric nutrition specialist at The Children’s Hospital of
Philadelphia and lead author of this study.

“Although
fractures due to low bone mineral content are mainly a problem for the
elderly, the amount of bone mass acquired during puberty is the key
determinant of lifetime fracture risk.

“As
obesity treatment during adolescence becomes more frequent, it is
important to understand the role of weight loss on bone health during
this critical period,” Dr. Stettler added.

The study is in the current issue of the journal Obesity. (ANI)