Who is likely to develop stress fractures?
Genetic, hormonal, and nutritional factors play a significant role in the development of stress fractures. The stronger the bone, the more resistant it will be to a stress fracture compared to a weaker bone. There are differences between adolescents in regard to skeletal mass, and these differences may be genetically determined. Some teens have bigger and thicker bones than other teens. Many studies suggest that adolescent females are at increased risk for stress fractures compared to adolescent males where adolescent females have a 1.5 to 3.5 times increased incidence of stress fractures compared to males. These differences may be due to diet variations, changes associated with menstrual and bone density. Also adolescent females with eating disorders especially anorexia nervosa may develop osteopenia or osteoporosis, which is a risk factor for stress fracture. Delayed menarche may be associated with an increased risk for stress fracture in adolescent girls. Observations have been made
