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. 2022 Jan-Mar;21(1):16-20.
doi: 10.4103/aam.aam_58_20.

The association of extreme body weight with bone mineral density in Saudi children

Asmaa A Milyani  1 , Yousof O Kabli  1 , Abdulmoein E Al-Agha  2
Affiliations

The association of extreme body weight with bone mineral density in Saudi children

Asmaa A Milyani et al. Ann Afr Med. 2022 Jan-Mar.

Abstract
in English, French

Objective: The objective to investigate the effect of extreme body weight; obesity and undernutrition, on bone mineral density (BMD).

Methodology: This study is a descriptive cross-sectional study carried between January and June of 2019, and included 224 children and adolescents without any comorbidities or chronic disease. Important data collected included anthropometrics, past medical and surgical history, history of medication intake, level of physical activity and pubertal assessment. Data entry and analysis were conducted using Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 24.

Results: Gender distribution showed 48.2% were male and 51.8% were female. The mean age was 9.98 ± 3.5 years. Mean weight was 34.89 ± 18.2 kg. Mean BMD z-score was - 1.64 ± 1.4. Weight was considered to significantly correlate with BMD stature at a P = 0.014. Subjects who were underweight showed a lower mean BMD z-score of <-2 than those who were overweight/obese (mean BMD z-score = -1.60).

Conclusion: Both extremes of weight are considered a significant risk factor for the development of low BMD in children. We recommend the early recognition of weight aberrations and consequent aggressive intervention with strict lifestyle modifications to promote the development of maximum peak bone mass.

Résumé Objectif: étudier l'effet du poids corporel extrême; l'obésité et la dénutrition, sur la densité minérale osseuse. Méthodologie: Cette étude est une étude transversale descriptive réalisée entre les mois de janvier et juin 2019, et a inclus 224 enfants et adolescents sans aucune comorbidité ni maladie chronique. Les données importantes recueillies comprenaient l'anthropométrie, les antécédents médicaux et chirurgicaux, les antécédents de prise de médicaments, le niveau d'activité physique et l'évaluation pubertaire. La saisie et l'analyse des données ont été effectuées à l'aide du progiciel statistique pour les sciences sociales (SPSS) version 24. Résultats: La répartition par sexe a montré que 48,2% étaient des hommes et 51,8% étaient des femmes. L'âge moyen était de 9,98 ± 3,5 ans. Le poids moyen était de 34,89 ± 18,2 kg. Le score z moyen de DMO était de -1,64 ± 1,4. On a considéré que le poids était significativement corrélé à la stature de la DMO à une valeur p de 0,014. Les sujets présentant une insuffisance pondérale ont présenté un score z de DMO moyen inférieur à <-2 que ceux qui étaient en surpoids/obèses (score z moyen de DMO = -1,60). Conclusion: Les deux extrêmes de poids sont considérés comme un facteur de risque important pour le développement d'une faible DMO chez les enfants. Nous recommandons la détection précoce des aberrations de poids et une intervention agressive conséquente avec des modifications strictes du mode de vie afin de favoriser le développement d'une masse osseuse maximale. Mots-clés: insuffisance pondérale; en surpoids; indice de masse corporelle; densité minérale osseuse; les enfants.

Keywords: Body mass index; bone mineral density; children; overweight; underweight.

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Conflict of interest statement

None

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Relationship between the mean of bone mineral density in z-score and the categories of weight in standard deviation
Figure 2
Figure 2
Relationship between mean bone mineral density in z-score and tanner stage
Figure 3
Figure 3
Relationship between mean bone mineral density and physical activity
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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