Adipose Tissue Stimulates Bone Growth in Prepubertal Children

Context: Fat mass represents a positive influence on bone mass in adults, independently of other factors such as lean mass, but whether a similar action occurs in children is unclear. Objective: Our objective was to examine the relationship between fat mass and bone mass in children. Design and Sett...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:The journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism 2006-07, Vol.91 (7), p.2534-2541
Main Authors: Clark, E. M., Ness, A. R., Tobias, J. H.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Absorptiometry, Photon
Adipose Tissue - physiology
Biological and medical sciences
Body Composition
Body Height
Body Weight
Bone Density
Bone Development - physiology
Child
Cross-Sectional Studies
Endocrinopathies
Female
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Humans
Male
Medical sciences
Prospective Studies
Puberty - physiology
Regression Analysis
Sex Characteristics
Vertebrates: endocrinology
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Summary:Context: Fat mass represents a positive influence on bone mass in adults, independently of other factors such as lean mass, but whether a similar action occurs in children is unclear. Objective: Our objective was to examine the relationship between fat mass and bone mass in children. Design and Setting: We conducted combined cross-sectional and prospective analyses at university research clinics. Participants: Participants included children aged 9.9 yr from a large population-based birth cohort in southwest England. Outcomes: Relationships between total body fat mass were measured by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry at age 9.9 yr, and 1) total-body-less-head bone mass and area at age 9.9 and 2) increase in bone mass and area over the following 2 yr. Results: There was a strong positive relationship between total body fat mass and total-body-less-head bone mass and area, even after adjustment for height and/or lean mass (P < 0.001). There was a similar positive association between total body fat mass and increase in bone mass and area over the following 2 yr in boys and Tanner stage 1 girls. In contrast, no association was present between fat mass and gain in bone mass and size in Tanner stage 2 girls, whereas a negative association was seen in Tanner stage 3 girls (puberty-fat mass interaction, P < 0.001). Conclusions: In prepubertal children, fat mass is a positive independent determinant of bone mass and size and of increases in these parameters over the following 2 yr, suggesting that adipose tissue acts to stimulate bone growth. However, this relationship is attenuated by puberty.
ISSN:0021-972X
1945-7197
DOI:10.1210/jc.2006-0332