Obese adolescents have increased fracture risk, but effects of alterations in adiposity on bone accrual and strength in obese adolescents are not understood. We evaluated 12-month changes in trabecular and cortical volumetric bone mineral density (vBMD) and cortical geometry in obese adolescents undergoing a randomized weight management program, and investigated the effect of body composition changes on bone outcomes. Peripheral quantitative computed tomography (pQCT) of the radius and tibia, and whole-body dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scans were obtained at baseline, 6 months, and 12 months in 91 obese adolescents randomized to standard care versus behavioral intervention for weight loss. Longitudinal models assessed effects of body composition changes on bone outcomes, adjusted for age, bone length, and African-American ancestry, and stratified by sex. Secondary analyses included adjustment for physical activity, maturation, vitamin D, and inflammatory biomarkers. Baseline body mass index (BMI) was similar between intervention groups. Twelve-month change in BMI in the standard care group was 1.0 kg/m 2 versus -0.4 kg/m 2 in the behavioral intervention group (p < 0.01). Intervention groups were similar in bone outcomes, so they were combined for subsequent analyses. For the tibia, BMI change was not associated with change in vBMD or structure. Greater baseline lean body mass index (LBMI) associated with higher cortical vBMD in males, trabecular vBMD in females, and polar section modulus (pZ) and periosteal circumference (Peri-C) in both sexes. In females, change in LBMI positively associated with gains in pZ and Peri-C. Baseline visceral adipose tissue (VFAT) was inversely associated with pZ in males and cortical vBMD in females. Change in VFAT did not affect bone outcomes. For the radius, BMI and LBMI changes positively associated with pZ in males. Thus, in obese adolescents, weight loss intervention with modest changes in BMI was not detrimental to radius or tibia bone strength, and changes in lean, but not adiposity, measures were beneficial to bone development.

Objective To determine the association between insulin resistance, dyslipidemia, and carotid intimal thickness (cIMT) in adolescents with normal and abnormal glucose tolerance. Methods An observational cohort study in 155 youth: 44 obese insulin sensitive (OIS;fasting insulin≤20µM/mL, BMI≥95%ile), 35 obese insulin resistant (OIR;fasting insulin&gt;20µM/mL, BMI≥95%ile), 34 obese abnormal glucose tolerant (AGT; BMI≥95%ile), and 42 lean (BMI 5-85%ile). Lipids, lipoprotein particle size and concentration (-P), insulin sensitivity (SI from intravenous glucose test), and cIMT were compared using linear models adjusted for age, race/ethnicity, biological sex, and Tanner stage. Lipid/lipoprotein profile and cIMT were re-evaluated in a subset after 2 years. Results Compared to OIS and Lean, OIR and AGT had elevated triglycerides and low HDL-C but similar total-C and LDL-C. Among OIS, OIR, AGT, lower SI was associated with atherogenic lipids (higher triglycerides, LDL-C, non-HDL-C, and lower HDL-C) and lipoproteins (higher total LDL-P and small HDL-P, and lower large HDL-P). There was a steeper decline in the association of SI with HDL-C and large HDL-P in AGT compared with OIR and OIS. cIMT was comparable across groups and inversely correlated with SI , with no change after 2 years. Conclusions Among youth with obesity, insulin resistance was associated with an atherogenic lipoprotein/lipid profile and cIMT, regardless of glucose tolerance status. Lower insulin sensitivity in AGT youth was associated with a shift to smaller HDL-P compared to normoglycemic youth with obesity. Alterations in HDL-P metabolism may be early adverse manifestations of hyperglycemia in youth with obesity.

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