The Association between Body Mass Index and Physical Fitness among Adolescents

Abstract

The lifestyle and diet of today's modern society can lead to overweight and obesity. Overweight and obesity is now beginning to worry. This study aims to provide a description of the condition of Body Mass Index (BMI) and physical fitness among adolescents in Bangka Belitung Islands in 2017, and how BMI and physical fitness are associated. 105 adolescents were participants of this study, 90 male and 15 female adolescents. Participants aged ± 18 years in the year of the study conducted. Anthropometry is performed to identify participants' BMI. Performance tests were conducted to identify the components of physical fitness related to the health of the participants. Performance of vertical jump (leg power), sprint 60 meter (speed), push-up (strength and endurance of arm muscle), sit-up (strength and endurance of abdominal muscles), and run / walk distance 1000/1200 meters (cardiorespiratory endurance). BMI has a significant correlation with the strength and endurance of arm muscle (t = 3.79, p < 0.05). BMI has a significant correlation with leg power (t = 4.97, p < 0.01). BMI correlates significantly with speed (t = 4.04, p < 0.05). CRE is only significantly correlated with abdominal muscle strength and endurance (t= 2.51, p < 0.01). Overweight and obesity can be prevented through the provision of a program of physical activity that meets the rules of physical fitness. The program should be provided from primary to senior high school and it’s a sustainable long-term program at every level of education at school. Hopefully overweight and obesity can be prevented.