Influence of Body Mass Index on Health-Related Physical Fitness in School-Going Children of North and South Mangaluru

Abstract Background Being underweight, overweight, or obese has a negative impact on health outcomes in adulthood. Focusing on body mass index (BMI) since childhood may improve the quality of life and well-being of an individual in future. Objective The aim of this study was to find the correlation of low, normal, and high BMI with health-related physical fitness components of the FITNESSGRAM test battery in school-going children of North and South Mangaluru. Materials and Methods The study analyzed 166 respondents aged 5 to 10 years from seven Dakshina Kannada Zilla Panchayat schools in Mangaluru city. The children were divided into three groups (low, normal, and high BMI) based on their World Health Organization (WHO) growth chart standards, and they were assessed for health-related physical fitness using the FITNESSGRAM test battery. Results There was a strong positive correlation of normal, low, and high BMI with FITNESSGRAM tests such as skinfold measurements of triceps (r = 0.903, 0.889, and 0.913). and calf (r = 0.881, 0.889, and 0.900), curl-up (r = 0.787, 0.776, and 0.881), and 90-degree pushup (r = 0.816, 0.769, and 0.858). The progressive aerobic cardiovascular endurance run (PACER) had a weak positive correlation with normal BMI (r = 0.122), moderate positive with low BMI (r = 0.301), and moderate negative with high BMI (r = −0.584), while the trunk lift test had a moderate positive correlation with normal, low, and high BMI (r = 0.618, 0.640, and 0.641). Conclusion The study concludes that there is a positive correlation between BMI and health-related physical fitness components of FITNESSGRAM in school-going children of North and South Mangaluru.