The relationship between obesity, type 2 diabetes (T2D), and bone health in youth is not clear. We examined the relationship of adiposity and glucose metabolism with bone mineral content (BMC) and microarchitecture (quality and strength) in youth across the glycemia spectrum, and evaluated sex-related differences. 75 adolescents (47 females); 27% normal weight (NW), 31% overweight-normal glucose tolerance (OW-NGT), 42% OW-impaired glucose regulation (IGR), including prediabetes (n=12) or T2D (n=20); underwent measurement of anthropometrics, body composition and BMC (DXA), bone microarchitecture (HRpQCT), and oral glucose tolerance test with determination of glucose and insulin indices. BMC and distal tibia bone quality and strength (modulus) measures were worse in OW-IGR and OW-NGT compared with NW in males but not in females (Table). Group differences in HRpQCT measures (worse in OW-IGR) were greater at the radius vs. tibia in both males and females. HOMA-IR was negatively related with vBMD (r=-.30, p=0.02), trabecular bone width (r=-0.38, p=0.003), and strength (r=-0.35, p=0.006) at the tibia and radius. There appears to be sexual dimorphism in the relationship of obesity and dysglycemia with bone quality and strength in youth, and a negative relationship between insulin resistance with bone measures. The metabolic effect of dysglycemia may be more discernable at a non-weight bearing site.
F. Bacha: None. P.K. Saha: None. R. Villareal: None. R. Shypailo: None. X. Chen: None. M.R. Puyau: None.
USDA/ARS National Institutes of Health
