In an study conducted at the University of Missouri-Columbia, “researchers examined how the development of obesity and insulin resistance contribute to bone-fracture risk and whether exercise prevents weight gain and diabetes and protects bone health. They found obesity and type 2 diabetes negatively affected bone, but exercise prevented weight gain and diabetes and increased bone strength. These findings could inform interventions to improve bone health among individuals with obesity and type 2 diabetes.”

For awhile, medical professionals assumed the bone mass was protected by the excess weight, but they have now discovered that is not true. In fact, ” ‘What we’ve come to realize is that the bone of people with obesity and Type 2 diabetes isn’t good, quality bone. These individuals have an increased risk of fractures, so that extra body weight isn’t protective.’ “Furthermore, “Hinton and her colleagues examined how the development of obesity and Type 2 diabetes affect bone structure, formation and strength over time. Specifically, the researchers studied the bones of rats that had a predisposition to overeat, which caused the rats to gain weight and become insulin resistant. This pattern of weight gain and insulin resistance parallels the development of obesity and Type 2 diabetes in humans, Hinton said.”

Exercise was also studied, ” ‘This study doesn’t explain how exercise increased bone quality, Hinton said. The animals in the exercise group were healthier; they didn’t develop the same insulin resistance and diabetes, which might explain why the bones of the exercising rats were healthier,’ Hinton said.”

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University of Missouri-Columbia. “Obesity and type 2 diabetes harm bone health: In animal study, researchers found exercise protects bone health; could decrease fracture, osteoporosis risk.” ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 17 November 2015. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/11/151117130351.htm>.