20th Annual Student Research Conference
Human Potential and Performance
Comparison of %Fat and BMI for Determining Obesity in College Football Players
Jeff Amundson* and Keith B. Painter
Dr. Jerry Mayhew and Prof. Liz Jorn, Faculty Mentors
The purpose of this study was to determine if body mass index (BMI) is an adequate measure for determining obesity in college football players. Truman players (n=298) were measured over the last decade for height, weight and selected skinfolds. Skinfolds were used to predict %fat from population-specific equations. According to BMI standards, 14% of players were of normal weight, 44% were overweight, and 42% were obese. According to %fat standards, 43% had normal body fat levels and only 4% were obese. Of those classified by BMI as obese, 10% were obese, 62% were overweight, 24% were normal, and 4% were lean according to %fat measurements. While BMI was significantly correlated with %fat (r = 0.80), it was more highly related to lean body mass (r = 0.92). While BMI may be adequate for assessing obesity in the general population, it is inappropriate for evaluating fat levels in college football players.
Keywords: BMI, skinfold, football, football players, obesity, percent fat, overweight, body composition
Topic(s):Exercise Science
Presentation Type: Poster
Session: 2-12
Location: OP Lobby
Time: 4:15 pm