Overweight Kids at Risk for Broken Bones

Children who are overweight face more than future health problems. They appear to have broken bones and joint problems more often during childhood than kids of normal weight, research suggests.

"A lot of people think that if you're an overweight kid ... that later on in life you're going to run into having heart disease or Type 2 diabetes," said Dr. Susan Yanovski, director of the obesity and eating disorders program at the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.

"But kids and adults who are overweight are already having problems with their mobility, fractures, and joint pain."

A study led by her husband, obesity researcher Dr. Jack Yanovski, found that children and teens who were overweight were far more likely to have had a fracture than their ideal-weight peers. They also had more bone and hip joint abnormalities, which can lead to permanent deformities.


http://www.newsday.com/news/health/ats-ap_health11nov21,0,4172784,print.story?coll=ny-leadhealthnews-headlines

Drinking large amounts of soda pop leads to obesity- and also to osteoporosis (because the acid in it leaches calcium out of the bones- keeps it from replenishing the bones, and has become a substitute for calcium containing beverages like milk or some fruit juices.

So- is it the obesity per se- or is it lack of activity- or is it Coke & Pepsi that's causing the increased incidence of broken bones?

Probably all 3- but the junk food industry probably deserves a mention here-

hint that maybe it's not the fat. Also, I think there is some research that drinking beverages with sugar substitute makes people crave more sugar. Another thing though - I have heard that osteoporosis is unknown in countries where dairy isn't used. The pasturized stuff isn't really that good for people. It would kill a baby cow.