The effects of body mass index and age on cross-sectional properties of the femoral neck.

Research on the relationship between body mass index (BMI) and cross-sectional geometry of long bone diaphyses demonstrates that strength properties are significantly greater in obese versus normal BMI individuals. However, articular dimensions do not differ appreciably. If femoral head size remains constant, we hypothesize that the femoral neck remodels to accommodate greater loads associated with increased BMI.