Association of Weight-for-Height Index with Health-Oriented Physical Fitness, Gait Speed and Health-Related Quality of Life in Middle-Aged Subjects: A Cross-Sectional Study

 Background Obesity rates continue to rise locally and globally, which is related a concurrent rise in medical and economic costs. Previous literature has not comprehensively discussed the association of weight-for-height index with health-oriented physical fitness, gait speed, and health-related quality of life in middle-aged subjects. Such information is valuable in predicting future health-related risks and formulating interventions to slow the disabling process. Hence, the study aims to estimate the association of weight-for-height index with health-oriented physical fitness, gait speed, and health-related quality of life.  Objective To determine the association of weight-for-height index with health-oriented physical fitness, gait speed, and health-related quality of life in middle-aged subjects.  Methods 62 subjects were recruited based on inclusion criteria and divided into five different weight-for-height index categories. Six measures of physical fitness (waist-hip ratio, hand grip strength, 30-second chair stand test, modified push-up test, 2-minute walk test, chair sit and reach test) were measured. Physical Fitness Index was calculated as the mean of these six fitness test scores and gait speed was analyzed using a 10-meter walk test and health-related quality of life using the SF-12 questionnaire.  Result and Discussion The bivariate analysis showed a decreasing trend in physical fitness, gait speed, and health-related quality of life across the weight-for-height index categories. All variables showed a significant inverse relation (p<.05) with the weight-for-height index. The results may be due to the increased presence of type II muscle fibers and adiposity in higher weight-for-height index which might cause a detrimental impact on physical fitness. Excess adipose tissue modifies the ideal ratio of fat and fat-free mass, as well as the quality and function of skeletal muscle. The above might have implied an overall negative effect on gait speed and health-related quality of life.  Conclusion The study observed an association between weight-for-height index with health-oriented physical fitness, gait speed, and health-related quality of life in middle-aged subjects.