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BMI and Body Composition in Division I Athletes

Simpson, Isabella
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu16189252323773

Abstract Details

2021, Master of Science, Ohio State University, Health and Rehabilitation Sciences.
Background: Body mass index (BMI) is considered potentially inaccurate in athletes. Misclassification from BMI measurements can lead to inaccurate assumptions about adiposity. Body fat percentage (BF%) is a better indicator of overall adiposity, especially in athletes. Also, the distribution of adiposity is important to consider for associated health risk concerns. Objective: Determine the frequency that BMI and BF% classifications match in athletes, and analyze adiposity distribution as it relates to these variables. Methods: Data from athletes representing thirty-three collegiate teams who were scanned by sports nutrition were included in the study (n=1,288). Measures included height, weight, age, sex, ethnicity, sport, BMI, BF%, total fat mass, total lean mass, and VAT mass. BMI classifications established by the World Health Organization were used. Cutoff values to classify BF% were consistent with those established by the American College of Sports Medicine. Data were analyzed using SPSS (version 27) and SAS statistical software. Results: Classification categories for BMI and BF% matched for 53.4% of females and 39.3% of males. BMI overestimated BF% in males compared to females. The frequency of BMI category versus BF% category for overweight (49% versus 10.2%) and obesity (22.7% versus 10.6%) for males was different than the comparisons for females (overweight 20.1% versus 38.5%, obesity 1.4% versus 9.3%). Statistical analysis measuring the weighted Kappa value for BMI and BF% categorical matching in total athletes was found to be Kappa = 0.1777 (p<0.0001), indicating a weak relationship beyond what could happen by chance alone. Similarly, weighted Kappa values for both males [Kappa = 0.2701 (p=0.0001)] and females [Kappa = 0.2148 (p=0.0001)] indicated weak relationships. Conclusion: This study demonstrated the limitations of BMI for predicting adiposity and showed that BF% estimates are more useful than BMI. As predicted, BMI overestimated adiposity in male athletes. BMI underestimated adiposity in some females and had a higher frequency of matching for BMI and BF% categories. Although females have considerably lower VAT mass compared to males, generally, it seems that as BMI exceeds 30 kg/m2, VAT mass increases in females. As BF% exceeds ~30% (consistent with “very poor” classification) in females, VAT mass also increases. However, future research would benefit from further investigation to establish cutoff values for BF% in elite athletes, as well as the relationship of overall adiposity with VAT mass.
Jackie Buell, PhD (Advisor)
Julie Kennel, PhD (Committee Member)
Laura Schmitt, PhD (Committee Member)
99 p.
Health Sciences
BMI; body mass index; body composition; athletes; VAT mass; body fat; body fat percentage

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Simpson, I. (2021). BMI and Body Composition in Division I Athletes [Master's thesis, Ohio State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu16189252323773

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Simpson, Isabella. BMI and Body Composition in Division I Athletes. 2021. Ohio State University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu16189252323773.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Simpson, Isabella. "BMI and Body Composition in Division I Athletes." Master's thesis, Ohio State University, 2021. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu16189252323773

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

osu16189252323773
© 2021, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by The Ohio State University and OhioLINK.