Researchers from Queen Mary University of London report that obese female students are more prone to bone, joint, muscle, ligament, or tendon pain than their healthy‑weight peers. The findings were published in the Archives of Childhood Diseases, highlighting a notable link between excess weight and musculoskeletal symptoms in youth. ADC study 2024
In their analysis, investigators examined health data from a large cohort of 120,000 children and adolescents aged 10 to 11. Among younger children four to five years old, about 8.9 percent of boys were classified as obese, compared with 7.1 percent of girls. By the start of sixth grade, obesity prevalence rose to 19.9 percent for boys and 14.4 percent for girls. ADC study 2024
The researchers found that obese girls were 1.7 times more likely than peers with a healthy weight to visit a doctor for musculoskeletal symptoms at least once. Knee pain emerged as the most common complaint, followed by back pain. ADC study 2024
The study authors suggest that carrying excess weight may place extra stress on joints, contributing to musculoskeletal issues. They also note that further work is needed to illuminate why these symptoms appear less often in boys. ADC study 2024
In related coverage, nutrition experts emphasize that addressing childhood obesity can bring meaningful benefits for long-term health, including reduced risk of joint discomfort during growth and adolescence. ADC study 2024