Association between Body Mass Index and Cardiorespiratory Fitness among Healthy Children of 8-14 Years of Age

Abstract

Background: Cardio-respiratory fitness is the total capacity of circulatory and respiratory systems to supply oxygen to the skeletal muscles during a physical activity and that can be bothered by increased or decreased weight due to effects of BMI.

Objective: To determine the effect of Body Mass Index on cardio respiratory fitness in children of 8nto 14 years in Lahore.

Methods: A total of 121 children aged 8 to 14 were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. Participants were randomly chosen from Lahore's urban region. The 20-meter shuttle run test was used to determine cardio - respiratory fitness. Body mass index (BMI) was calculated using the formula i.e., BMI = weight (kg)/height (m)2. Height and weight were measured using standard criteria. The participants were divided into four groups based on their BMI (underweight, normal weight, overweight, and obese). The link between BMI and cardio-respiratory fitness has been discovered.

Results: Children who were underweight, overweight, or obese had decreased cardio respiratory fitness, hence BMI was found to be negatively correlated with cardio respiratory fitness. The statistically significant results were found with gender and BMI groups of underweight and normal while non-significant with overweight and obese.

Conclusion: Cardio respiratory function is associated with increased and decreased body mass. Interventions addressing these important effects of physical fitness in this particular population should be implemented.