According to a study conducted at the National Institutes of Health, overwight children and adolescents are more likely to suffer bone fractures and develop knee changes that make movement more difficult.

This study in a total of 355 black and white children and adolescents from Washington, D.C. used a technique known as Dual Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry (DXA) to detect any effects of overweight on the feet, ankles and knees. The results were published in the June 2006 issue of Pediatrics.

According to the researchers, there should be efforts in health care providers to recognize the orthopedic complications of excess weight so that interventions can be initiated. While significantly overweight children and adolescents should be encouraged to engage in alternative modes of physical activity (like bicycle riding or swimming) that could alleviate the severity of lower extremity joint loading and discomfort.

Read more at NIH News.