Obese Children Face Nearly 5-Fold Higher Risk of Fractures, Study Finds
China: A new study published in Scientific Reports has revealed a significant connection between childhood obesity and the likelihood of bone fractures, with certain body areas more affected than others. Conducted by Lei Ni and colleagues from the Department of Orthopedics at the Children’s Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, the research sheds light on how excess body weight influences both fracture patterns and overall injury risk among children.
The researchers analyzed data from nearly 18,000 hospitalized children with fractures and over 3,000 healthy children undergoing routine check-ups.
The findings of the study were as follows:
- Children who experienced fractures had higher BMI Z-scores, greater rates of obesity, and more frequent cases of dyslipidemia than their healthy counterparts.
- Lower limb fractures showed the strongest link to obesity, with affected children having the highest average BMI Z-score (0.58) and obesity rate (20.2%).
- Upper limb fractures followed with a BMI Z-score of 0.50 and an obesity rate of 15.6%.
- Axial fractures (spine and torso) had a BMI Z-score of 0.31 and obesity rate of 14.9%.
- Head fractures were least related to obesity, with a BMI Z-score of -0.02 and an obesity rate of 8.4%.
- Higher BMI Z-scores were strongly associated with increased fracture risk, with children in this group nearly five times more likely to sustain fractures (Odds Ratio: 4.89).
- Dyslipidemia was also more prevalent in children with fractures (31.2%) compared to the control group (24.7%).
The study’s authors emphasize the need for more targeted prevention strategies, particularly for overweight children engaging in physical activities. As exercise is often prescribed for weight management, ensuring that it is done safely becomes crucial to avoid injury. They also suggest that medical professionals should factor in BMI and lipid levels when assessing fracture risk in pediatric trauma patients.
While the study presents compelling evidence, the researchers acknowledge limitations. The data was drawn from a single center in Nanjing and did not include cases of repeat fractures. Furthermore, the control group was smaller in size, which may introduce statistical bias, though adjustments such as propensity score matching were applied to reduce this risk.
The researchers propose future studies to explore bone density and lipid metabolism as additional risk factors. Larger, multi-center investigations could also help validate and expand upon their findings.
"The study highlights the importance of addressing childhood obesity not just for long-term metabolic health but also to reduce immediate risks such as bone fractures. Proactive weight management and careful clinical assessment could play a vital role in safeguarding children’s musculoskeletal health," the researchers concluded.
Reference:
Yang, W., Zhou, Z., Gu, W., Wang, X., & Ni, L. (2025). The impact of childhood obesity on different fracture sites. Scientific Reports, 15(1), 1-9. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-11203-7
