WebMD Medical News Laura J. Martin, MD Aug. 17, 2010 --
Overweight children who are at risk for developing diabetes
before puberty also face greater odds for having weak bones, a
new study indicates. Researchers at the Medical College of
Georgia studied 140 children between the ages of 7 and 11 who
got little regular exercise and found that 30% showed signs of
poor blood sugar regulation and 4% to 5% less bone mass, which
is a measure of bone strength. The researchers say their new
study is the first to suggest a link between weaker bones and
childhood risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes,
which is associated with inactivity and obesity, is becoming
more common in kids. Type 1 diabetes is associated with poor
bone health and is thought to be caused by genetic and
environmental factors. Norman Pollock, PhD, a bone biologist at
Medical College of Georgia’s Georgia Prevention Institute, says
the new study “provides the first clue linking childhood obesity
to skeletal fractures." “While overweight