Relationship Between Body Mass Index (BMI) and Percentage of Body Fat Among Gifted Students

Abstract

The body mass index, more commonly known as Body Mass Index (BMI), is a formula for evaluating body weight related to the height of an individual. BMI is also known as an indirect measurement of body composition that can be classified into four categories: underweight, normal weight, overweight, and obesity. The determination of BMI is based on the amount of fat found in the body weight and height of an individual. Meanwhile, body composition includes fat mass and fat-free mass. Most people think that the BMI measurement also determines the fat mass contained in their bodies. However, this is not accurate. Therefore, this study was conducted to examine the relationship between BMI and the percentage of body fat contained in the bodies of school-age teenagers. An analytical study was conducted on 88 male and female students who were 15 years old. Their body weight was measured using a scale whereas their body height was measured using a height measuring device. Meanwhile, their body fat percentage and BMI were measured using the Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (BIA) tool, i.e., the Omron-branded "Karada Scan Body Composition Monitor". The data obtained were analysed using the Pearson correlation test. The mean BMI value for male students was 20.19 kg and female students was 21.02 kg. The mean body fat percentage of male students was 10.83% and female students was 21.90%. The correlation between the male and female students’ BMI and their percentage of body fat showed a significant relationship, that is, male students by (r=0.683) and female students by (r=0.607). Hence, based on the analysis of the study, there was a significant relationship or a very high percentage between BMI and body fat percentage of the male and female students of Kolej GENIUS@Pintar Negara, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia.