Weight Loss Surgeon
Impact of Childhood Obesity on Musculoskeletal Health
Childhood obesity can cause serious musculoskeletal health issues.
The impact of childhood obesity on musculoskeletal health is a critical aspect to know. Childhood obesity can significantly impact the growth and health of bones, joints, and muscles with severe musculoskeletal health disorders. Too much weight exerts pressure on growth plates in the body and pose a great risk of broken bones and other serious musculoskeletal problems such as Femoral epiphysis, Blount’s disease, and more.
Take a look at the impact of childhood obesity on musculoskeletal health –
- Structural changes –
Excess body weight is associated with an increased risk of abnormal bone development and structural deformities in children. The additional stress and mechanical loading on the growing bones and joints can lead to structural changes.
Blount’s disease, generally seen in young children and adolescents is a growth disorder that affects the shinbone (tibia) leading to bowleg deformity. It occurs due to excess weight and increased stress on growth plate. It is a progressive disease which may lead to degenerative arthrosis in future.
- Slipped Capital Femoral Epiphysis (SCFE)
This is a condition that primarily affects the joints in adolescents and usually occurs due to the weakness of growth plates. Obesity is a significant factor for SCFE. It is a condition where the growth plate at the head of the thigh bone, slips off the neck of the bone at the growth plate. The condition can lead to chronic hip and knee pain, and an intermittent limp. The displacement can lead to various complications and needs prompt medical attention.
- Abnormal gait and posture
Structural changes in the musculoskeletal system can contribute to poor posture and abnormal gait patterns. Obesity is often associated with altering the strength of the articulation required to stabilize the body. The excess body fat that accumulates in soft tissues, altering the distribution of mass in the body can impact the spine, bone, joints, and limbs. Though the research is still on to confirm if the additional mass associated with obesity results in posture imbalance or whether it is higher adiposity in the obese individuals that leads to the problem, it is important to note that these changes may persist if obesity is not addressed in earlier stages and may have long term complications.
- Increased risk of fractures and injuries
The stress on the joints and bones due to obesity in the growth phase increases the risk of overuse injuries such as stress fractures or tendonitis. The weight/bone mass imbalance in the growing bones often leads to joint lesion, ultimately contributing towards osteoarthritis.
The impact of child obesity on musculoskeletal health has surfaced over the recent years. The short and long-term health conditions related to childhood obesity is still the subject of investigation and research. In order to reduce weight and build strong bones, obese children must consume calcium and other nutrient-rich diet along with regular physical exercise for at least 30-60 minutes a day.
Bariatric surgeons recommend weight loss surgery to obese children with extremely high BMI of 40 or above to avoid long term musculoskeletal and other related conditions and complications.
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