The Body Mass Index - BMI

The Body Mass Index can also be known as"the Quetelet index. It is a statistical measurement that measures an individual's weight and height. It is a handy tool to assess the healthy body mass based on the height of an individual. It is accurate, and it is most widely used tool to identify the weight problem.

Criteria For Underweight And Obesity By BMI

Then, with the help of these World Health Organisation (WHO) criteria for obesity and overweight through BMI It is possible to know whether this individual falls under the categories of overweight, obese overweight or falls within the category of obese.

Calculation Of BMI

BMI for an individual is determined by using the following formula: Body Mass Index (BMI) = Body mass / (height + height)
Here the weight of the person weighs in kilograms, and the height is taken in metres.
Example:
Suppose an individual's body weight is 70 kilograms and their height is 1.60 m. Then, calculate these figures.
BMI = 70 / (1.60 x 1.60) = 70 / 2.56 = 27.34 kg/m2
The time has come to implement The World Health Organisation (WHO) the criteria for obese and overweight have been updated.
by BMI by BMI, you will be able to discover if the individual is overweight, normal
obesity, weight, or falls within the category of obesity.

Precautions During Measurements

The following precautions must be observed when taking measurements for BMI.

1. The body's weight has to be taken on the most reliable and accurate weight machine.
2. The student, whose body weight is to be taken, must wear the minimum of required clothing without shoes.
3. In order to measure height the student should stand barefooted and his/her entire body needs to be straight.

Physical Fitness Test (AAPHERD Test Score)

AAPHERD i.e. American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance is a test to determine and assess the fitness levels of children. The first version of this test was launched in 1958 and then revised in 1966 and again in 1976. Many modifications to the test's test battery were implemented in 1976 in AAPHER youth fitness test. The test was designed to measure the fitness levels of the young people. The tests evaluate body composition, flexibility, agility, coordination in upper body strength and aerobic endurance. They are designed to ensure that they can be administered by experts on the job.

Following are the test components in this test. AAPHERD Physical fitness tests:

1. Pull ups (boys)
2. Flexed-arm hang (girls)
3. Flexed leg sit ups
4. Shuttle run
5. Standing broad jump
6. 50-yard dash 9 minutes run for kids aged 10-12 years. 1.5 miles or 12 minutes run for children age 13 & above.

In 1980 AAPHERD introduced the "Physical Best" test which contained the following items:
1. 1 1/2 mile walk run or 12-minute run
2. Body fat measurement by folds of skin
3. Sit ups
4. Pull ups
5. Sit and test your reach

The test of physical fitness awards students for their fitness in the above activities.

Shuttle Run

This event measures speed, agility and speed of the participants. Set two parallel lines 30 feet apart. They then put two blocks of wood, behind one of the lines. Students start at the opposite line. On the signal 'Go' the student runs to the blocks , selects one up, returns to the starting line, and places the block in the middle of the line, runs back and picks up the second block and then runs back across the line. Blocks must be placed within the lines.

Pull-Ups Testing

The student hangs from the horizontal bar that the student is able to be hung from, arms fully extended, and feet free from flooring using either an overhand grip or a grip under the hand. Students with short height may be lifted to a starting position. They raise body until chin clears the bar and then lower it.
Body is brought to full hang position. Student performs as many correct push-ups as possible.

Flexed- Arm Hang Testing

With an overhand or an underhand grip, the student will be in a flexed hang position , with the chin cleaving the bar. Students are able to be lifted to this position. Student is in this position all the time he is able.

Flexed Arm Hang Scoring

The chest of the student must be held close to bar with legs hanging straight. Time measurement stops when the student's neck touches or falls below the bar.

Standing Long Jump

A standing jump can be a regular and straightforward test that tests powerful leg strength. The person stands behind one of the lines marked on the ground. With the feet set slightly apart. Two-foot take-off and landing is performed using swinging of the arms as well as bending the knees to provide forward thrust. The student tries to leap at the highest level possible landing on both feet without falling backwards. Three attempts are allowed. The measurement is calculated from the where the take-off line is located to the closest point of contact at landing the distance that is the longest jumped in the three best attempts is recorded.

50-Yard Dash

This is a test used to test the speed of a student. The student is positioned behind the line of start and begins going at the speed of 'Go'. When the entire distance is covered the time it took to complete 50 yards is recorded.

The new test for AAPHERD is designed to assess health fitness:

1. 1 1/2 Mile Walk/Run Or 12-Minute Run

Students are required to run 1.5 miles. Their time is recorded using a stop watch. If this method isn't adequate, students are instructed to do a 12-minute run. In this method their distance is recorded. The first method is considered to be the most efficient method to measure the aerobic fitness.

2. Skin Fold Measurement:

In this test , the calipers's skin is used to measure the thickness of fat on various areas of the body. After taking measurements of the thickness of different organs, the measurements are incorporated into an equation (different equation for boys and girls) in order to calculate the body density. After calculating the body's density, it is put in equation to calculate the body fat percentage. All measurements should be taken from the left side.
The following three parts are weighed:
(a) Skinfolds of the abdomen
(b) Chest skinfold
(c) Arm skinfold