Impact of BMI and gender on hand grip strength among Egyptians Adolescents: A cross-sectional study

Background: Obesity negatively impacts physical performance, while hand grip strength is an indicator of musculoskeletal strength; therefore, obesity may also negatively impact hand grip strength. Purpose: The objective of this study was to compare hand grip strength between abnorma and normal-weight adolescents and to assess the impact of sex on grip strength measurements. Methods: A cross-sectional study of 200 adolescents (40 male and 160 female) aged 11 to 15 years was performed. Participants were classified as 28 Abnormal weight (≥ 85th percentile BMI) and 172normal weight (<85th percentile BMI). Hand grip strength was evaluated with a handheld dynamometer, and relative grip strength was determined by normalizing absolute strength to body mass index. Statistical analysis was conducted using the Mann-Whitney U test to compare median values between groups, with significance set at p < 0.05. Results: Abnormal weight males demonstrated significantly higher weight, BMI, and absolute handgrip strength (HGS) strength compared to normal-weight males (p < 0.001), but no significant difference in relative strength. Among females, abnormal weight participants had markedly higher weight and BMI (p < 0.001), and significantly lower relative handgrip strength (HGS) strength than normalweight females (p < 0.001), with no significant difference in absolute handgrip strength (HGS)”. These findings highlight pronounced gender-specific patterns in strength and body composition associated with obesity. Conclusions: Increased body weight enhances absolute grip strength in males, while in females its lower strength relative to BMI, highlighting the importance of considering both gender and body composition when assessing muscle strength in adolescents'