Article Text

Download PDFPDF
Total body fat percentage and body mass index and the association with lower extremity injuries in children: a 2.5-year longitudinal study
  1. Eva Jespersen1,
  2. Evert Verhagen2,
  3. René Holst3,
  4. Heidi Klakk1,
  5. Malene Heidemann4,
  6. Christina Trifonov Rexen1,
  7. Claudia Franz1,
  8. Niels Wedderkopp1,5
  1. 1Centre for Research in Childhood Health, Institute of Sports Science and Clinical Biomechanics, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
  2. 2Department of Public and Occupational Health, EMGO+ Institute for Health and Care Research, VU University Medical Centre, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
  3. 3Biostatistical Research Unit, Institute of Regional Health Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
  4. 4Hans Christian Andersen Children's Hospital, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark
  5. 5Department of Orthopaedic, Hospital of Lillebaelt, Institute of Regional Health Service Research and Centre for Research in Childhood Health, IOB, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
  1. Correspondence to Eva Jespersen, Centre for Research in Childhood Health, Institute of Sports Science and Clinical Biomechanics, University of Southern Denmark, Campusvej 55, 5230 Odense M, Denmark; ejespersen{at}health.sdu.dk

Abstract

Background Overweight youths are generally recognised as being at increased risk of sustaining lower extremity injuries in sports. However, previous studies are inconclusive and choices for measuring overweight are manifold.

Objective To examine two different measures of overweight, body mass index (BMI) and total body fat percentage (TBF%), as risk factors for lower limb injuries in a school-based cohort.

Study design A longitudinal cohort study.

Methods A total of 632 school children, baseline age 7.7–12.0 years, were investigated. Whole body dual energy x-ray absorptiometry scans provided measures of TBF%. Measures of BMI were obtained by standard anthropometric methods. Musculoskeletal complaints were reported by parents answering weekly mobile phone text messages during 2.5 years. Injuries were diagnosed by clinicians. Leisure time sports participation was reported weekly using text messaging.

Results During 2.5 years of follow-up, 673 lower extremity injuries were diagnosed. Children being overweight by both BMI and TBF% showed the highest risk of sustaining lower extremity injuries (IRR 1.38 (95% CI 1.05 to 1.81)). Children who were overweight using BMI and TBF% showed the highest risk of sustaining lower extremity injuries (IRR 1.38 (95% CI 1.05 to 1.81)).

Conclusions The risk of lower extremity injuries appeared to be increased for overweight children. When comparing two different measures of overweight, overweight by TBF% is a higher risk factor than overweight by BMI. This suggests that a high proportion of adiposity is more predictive of lower extremity injuries, possibly due to a lower proportion of lean muscle mass.

  • Children's injuries
  • Lower extremity injuries
  • Body composition methodology
  • Injury Prevention

Statistics from Altmetric.com

Request Permissions

If you wish to reuse any or all of this article please use the link below which will take you to the Copyright Clearance Center’s RightsLink service. You will be able to get a quick price and instant permission to reuse the content in many different ways.