Body mass index (BMI) and its relationship with dynamic balance of school children in Colombo educational zone

Abstract

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Childhood overweight and obesity are serious epidemic issues that are on the rise in Sri Lanka, especially in the urban community. Excess body mass influences the human anthropometry and causes a direct impact on maintaining dynamic balance; the ability to maintain ones equilibrium when the centre of gravity shifts. Objective of this study was to assess Body Mass Index (BMI) and its relationship with dynamic balance of primary school children in Colombo educational zone METHODS: A cross- sectional study was conducted in randomly selected four National schools in Colombo educational zone among randomly selected 200 (50% boys) primary school children of grade five; 50 from each· school. The height was measured to closest O.Olm, weight was measured to closest O.Olkgand BMI was obtained. To define BMI categories, age and sex specific BMI reference proposed by World Health Organization 2007 was used. Modified Bass Test was used to assess the dynamic balance. RESULTS: Response rate was 100%. In this sample, 8.5% were obese, 13.5% were overweight, 67.5% were normal weight and 10.5%were thin. Effect of the gender on both BMI and dynamic balance of the primary school children was not statistically significant (p>0.05). Obese group had the lowest dynamic balance scores and the increase of BMI was found to be associated with poor dynamic balance in the study group. It was statistically significant (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Dynamic balance of primary school children was impaired with the increase of BMI in the study group of children.