Obesity and Type 2 Diabetes in Teens May Impair Bone Development: Study Suggests
Obesity and type 2 diabetes during adolescence can impair bone development, potentially increasing long-term risk for fractures and osteoporosis, according to a study presented at ENDO 2025, the Endocrine Society’s annual meeting in San Francisco.
The teenage years are a crucial period for building strong, healthy bones that can last a lifetime. However, new research suggests that early-onset metabolic conditions like obesity and diabetes may disrupt this essential process.
To explore this, researchers followed 48 adolescents, including 26 girls, with an average age of 15.5 years, over the course of a year. Among the participants, 27% had normal weight, 31% were overweight with normal blood sugar levels, and 42% had overweight with impaired blood sugar regulation, including prediabetes or type 2 diabetes.
Researchers assessed participants’ body fat, physical fitness, blood sugar, and insulin levels. They also evaluated bone strength and structure in the lower leg (tibia) and forearm (radius) using high-resolution imaging techniques.
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