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Abstract
The influence of excess body fat on bone strength is unclear. This study determined if adiposity influences bone strength in white females. Participants, 18-19 years of age, were grouped into obese (n = 12) and normal-weight (n = 12). Bone strength was assessed using MRI and DXA. Obesity was associated with lower tibia and radius trabecular bone measures (all P < 0.03), and after adjustment for fat-free soft-tissue, both trabecular (radius and lumbar spine) and cortical bone (tibia, radius, femur) outcomes were lower in obese versus normal weight participants. Significant inverse correlations existed between measures of obesity and MRI and DXA bone outcomes, supporting the hypothesis that obesity is associated with lower bone strength in late adolescent females.