How Does Obesity Affect Bone Age and Predicted Adult Height?

AIMS: The objectives were to (1) evaluate the degree of bone age advancement as obesity increases and (2) determine if the bone age predicted adult height (BAPH) is different from mid-parental target height (MPTH) in children and adolescents with obesity. METHODS: Baseline data from three trials, including body mass index (BMI), were analysed. Bone age was determined using the methods of Greulich and Pyle. MPTH was calculated using parents' adult height and the sex-adjusted mid-parental height formula. BAPH was calculated using bone age and height. Linear regression analysis evaluated if BMI is associated with bone age advancement or a difference in predicted adult heights. RESULTS: increase in BMI, bone age increased by 0.3 months (95% CI: 0.0-0.5). BMI was not associated with a significant difference between MPTH and BAPH (95% CI: -0.3-0.0). CONCLUSION: These results suggest that for children and adolescents with obesity, bone age advancement may not be associated with compromised adult height.