A common recommendation for the prevention and minimization of osteoporosis is an increase in weight bearing activity. In recent research, obesity has been cited as a possible protective factor to osteoporosis due to the increase in bone loading from excess weight. However, the relationship between osteoporosis and obesity is not limited to biomechanics. This article reviews the current literature examining the possible physiological and pathological effects that obesity has on osteoporosis and bone metabolism, and examines the multiple ways in which obesity and bone metabolism are related. Overall, the data available suggest that obesity is detrimental to bone health, despite the increased biomechanical loading it provides.

Full Article: http://www.josr-online.com/content/pdf/1749-799X-6-30.pdf
Summary: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21676245
PMID: 21676245

Title: Effects of obesity on bone metabolism
Authors: Cao JJ
Journal Title: JOSR