Bariatric Surgery Study
Challenges View That Obesity
May Protect Against Fracture
BY THOMAS CROCKER
OVER THE YE ARS, researchers have found evidence that obesity may help safeguard against
osteoporosis by boosting bone density, according to Alfonso Torquati, MD, MSCI, Helen Shedd
Keith Professor and Chair of the Department of Surgery at Rush University Medical Center.
That has led some to conclude that losing weight could result in a harmful reduction in bone
density, thereby increasing fracture risk. In 2017, for example, the multicenter, randomized
Look AHEAD clinical trial found that overweight or obese individuals with diabetes who lost
an average of 6% of body weight by following a program of intensive lifestyle intervention had
a 39% higher risk of frailty fracture than overweight or obese individuals who participated in
diabetes support and education and lost an average of 3.5% of body weight.
THE NOTION THAT HIGH
BMI IS PROTECTIVE
AGAINST FR ACTURE IS
WIDELY HELD AMONG
RESE ARCHERS AND
CLINICIANS, BUT
A RE TROSPECTIVE
STUDY OUT OF RUSH
UNIVERSIT Y MEDICAL
CENTER OFFERS
A MORE NUANCED
VIE W, FINDING THAT
SLEE VE GA STRECTOMY
BARIATRIC SURGERY
SIGNIFICANTLY
REDUCES THE RISK
OF SUSTAINING
A FR ACTURE IN
INDIVIDUALS WITH
SE VERE OBESIT Y.
SPECIAL
CLINICAL
SECTION:
BARIATRICS
2 4
