title: A Study on the Correlation Between the Body Mass Index (BMI), the Body Fat Percentage, the Handgrip Strength and the Handgrip Endurance in Underweight, Normal Weight and Overweight Adolescents.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The handgrip strength and endurance have evolved as an important tool for the assessment of the nutritional status and as a marker of the muscle quality. In underweight as well as overweight individuals, there is the possibility of a change in the muscle quality. So, we undertook this study to find out the correlation between the BMI, the Body Fat percentage and the Hand grip strength and endurance.
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundered eighty students in three BMI ranges-underweight (BMI≤ 18.49), normal weight (BMI- 18.5- 24.99) and overweight (25-29.99) were included according to the WHO guidelines. The body fat percentage was measured by using a bioelectric impedance. The handgrip strength and the handgrip endurance were recorded by using an INCO handgrip dynamometer. The statistical correlation was done by using ANOVA.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In males, the handgrip endurance was better in normal weight individuals, but among the females, the underweight females had a better handgrip endurance, but the difference was statistically insignificant (p>0.05). In both males and females, there was a statistically significant difference in the handgrip endurance, with the maximum grip endurance in the normal weight group and the minimum grip endurance in the overweight group (p< 0.05). The correlation between the BMI, the body fat percentage and the handgrip endurance was complex and different for males and females.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The underweight and overweight groups had a lower grip strength and endurance than the normal weight group in males, but not in females. The correlation was weak and it suggested that on both sides of the normal BMI, the hand grip endurance tended to decrease in males as well as in females. The increase in the body fat percentage might decrease the handgrip endurance but not the handgrip strength.
authors: Assistant Professor, Department of Physiology, Konaseema Institute of Medical Sciences , Amalapuram, E.G. District, Andhra Pradesh, India .
authors: Umesh Pralhadrao
authors: UP
authors: Lad
authors: P
authors: P
authors: Satyanarayana
authors: Shital
authors: S
authors: Shisode-Lad
authors: Ch Chaitanya
authors: ChC
authors: Siri
authors: N Ratna
authors: NR
authors: Kumari
keywords: BMI; Body fat percentage; Handgrip endurance; Handgrip strength