How does increased body weight affect the growth plate?

How does increased body weight affect the growth plate?

• A. It reduces stress on the growth plate
• B. It puts extra stress on the growth plate.
• C. It has no effect on the growth plate
• D. It strengthens the growth plate

Answer: (B)

Growing bones grow at the growth plates, which are cartilage-rich regions at the ends of long bones. These plates are designed to handle normal physiological loads, but they are relatively vulnerable to stress. When body weight increases, the forces transmitted across joints rise, causing more compressive and shear stress across the growth plate. This added mechanical load can irritate the physis and, with repetitive stress or an acute overload, may lead to physeal injuries or growth disturbances. In short, extra body weight translates to extra stress on the growth plate, rather than relief, strengthening, or no effect.

Growing bones grow at the growth plates, which are cartilage-rich regions at the ends of long bones. These plates are designed to handle normal physiological loads, but they are relatively vulnerable to stress. When body weight increases, the forces transmitted across joints rise, causing more compressive and shear stress across the growth plate. This added mechanical load can irritate the physis and, with repetitive stress or an acute overload, may lead to physeal injuries or growth disturbances. In short, extra body weight translates to extra stress on the growth plate, rather than relief, strengthening, or no effect.