A new study has revealed that skinny teenage girls may be running the risk of developing the brittle bone condition osteoporosis in later life. Research from the Children Of The 90s project claims that not only muscle is important in building bones during the teenage years, but also body fat has a significant role to play. This is true for both sexes, but particularly girls who are far more likely to aspire to be as thin as current celebrities and top models.
During the study several thousand youngsters aged 15 were checked, and it was found that those with more fat had stronger and thicker bones, especially the girls who are far more likely to suffer from the painful fractures associated with osteoporosis in later life; it is an established fact that older women are three times as likely to sustain hip fractures than men of the same age.
Research leader Dr Tobias, a university Professor of Rheumatology says that young girls need to be aware that by trying to copy the looks of their favourite star they may be putting themselves at risk. Moderate levels of fat in the body during the teenage years of growth are absolutely essential for absorption of vitamins A, D and K as well as the strengthening of growing bones, as by age 18 most bone growth and thickening is complete.
Exercise at any age is very important in maintaining a healthy body weight. Due to the current trend for teenagers spending several hours a day on Facebook or in front of the television, more traditional pastimes played outside are being forgotten. Low impact exercise such as walking is very good for general health, but as bones respond directly to stresses placed upon them, for young people more higher impact exercise such as running, jumping and skipping are essential for optimal bone density.
