Body Mass Index and Percentage Body Fat as Health Indicators for Young Adults

UNCG Author/Contributor (non-UNCG co-authors, if there are any, appear on document)
Carolyn L. Blue, Professor (Creator)
Institution
The University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG )
Web Site: http://library.uncg.edu/

Abstract: Objectives: To investigate the validity of an axiom that body mass index (BMI) and percentage body fat (%BF), above an ideal, are health risk factors. Methods: Participants were 2615 volunteers who participated in a health-screening program conducted in college residence halls over a consecutive 8-year period. Results: Nearly half of all participants were misclassified when BMI and/or %BF were used to define better versus poorer health whether analyzing all variables together, by individual factor, or by type of variable. Conclusions: Results of this study indicate that BMI and %BF are poor indicators of health status among young adults.

Additional Information

Publication
American Journal of Health Behavior 2007; 31(6): 867-700
Language: English
Date: 2007
Keywords
Body mass index, Percentage body fat, Screening tests, Health risk indicators, College students, Fitness

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