Body Mass Index and Physical Fitness Measures of 6th,7th, and 8th Grade Boys and Girls

Abstract

PURPOSE: To describe the anthropometric and fitness profiles of 6-8 grade students who participated in 2-3 days/week of PE classes during the academic year. METHODS: Data was collected on all willing 6-8 graders from the years 1992 to 2002, for a total of 10 years. Subjects included 1374 6th graders (height 59.33 ± 3.3 in, weight 102.6 ± 28.2 lbs), 1267 7th graders (height 62.4 ± 3.0 in, weight 117.7 ± 31.4 lbs), and 634 8th graders (height 63.1 ± 3.2 in, weight 125.7 ± 29.7 lbs) at a Chambersburg, PA junior high school. Participants completed fitness markers (height, weight, one-mile run, and curl ups) once in a year. Descriptive/frequency statistics were used to examine dependent variables for each participant, analyzing by grade and gender. Values were compared to the normative healthy fitness zones (HFZ) by FITNESSGRAM. RESULTS: 6th grade boys had a mean body mass index (BMI) of 19.7 ± 3.7 kg/m2, one-mile run of 9.4 ± 2.3 minutes, and curl ups of 45.8 ± 10.1; 63.9% met the HFZ for BMI, 77.5% met the HFZ for one-mile run, and 96.5% met the HFZ for curl ups. 6th grade girls had a mean BMI of 20.6 ± 4.8 kg/m2, one-mile run of 10.7 ± 2.3 minutes, and curl ups of 39.9 ± 10.7; 57.5% met the HFZ for BMI, 70.0% met the HFZ for one-mile run, and 94.7% met the HFZ for curl ups. 7th grade boys had a mean BMI of 20.2 ± 3.8 kg/m2, one-mile run of 9.0 ± 2.6 minutes, and curl ups of 49.7 ± 11.6; 71.9% met the HFZ for BMI, 72.2% met the HFZ for one-mile run, and 97.1% met the HFZ for curl ups. 7th grade girls had a mean BMI of 21.5 ± 5.0 kg/m2, one-mile run of 10.7 ± 2.6 minutes, and curl ups of 41.3 ± 10.7; 63.8% met the HFZ for BMI, 69.2% met the HFZ for one-mile run, and 98% met the HFZ for curl ups. 8th grade boys had a mean BMI of 21.1 ± 3.7 kg/m2, one-mile run of 9.2 ± 3.3 minutes, and curl ups of 50.9 ± 11.6; 67.2% met the HFZ for BMI, 53.1% met the HFZ for one-mile run, and 85.3% met the HFZ for curl ups. 8th grade girls had a mean BMI of 22.6 ± 4.9 kg/m2, one-mile run of 10.5 ± 1.8 minutes, and curl ups of 38.0 ± 9.6; 54.0% met the HFZ for BMI, 59.7% met the HFZ for one-mile run, and 80.1% met the HFZ for curl ups. CONCLUSIONS: Many junior high aged children are not meeting standards that are accepted regarding BMI, one-mile run, and curl ups. More work is needed to decrease BMI and obesity in children. More physical activity/sports involvement outside of PE programs may be needed for children not meeting these HFZ standards.