How to estimate overweight in pubescent asthmatics

ABSTRACT Purpose The purpose of our research was to compare the body mass index (BMI) and selected anthropometric parameters in asthmatic and non-asthmatic pubescents. Material and Methods The study group consisted of 64 asthmatic boys and 45 girls; the control group consisted of 68 non-asthmatic boys and 48 non-asthmatic girls. All the children were 12–14 years old. We measured anthropometric parameters by a standardized method and the percentage of fat using the simple 2-site skinfold method. Additionally, we calculated the percentage of body composition (Matiegka) and the components of somatotype (Heath-Carter). Statistical significance was estimated at the level of p Results The asthmatic boys were significantly shorter than the non-asthmatic (p=0.015), however, we did not find any significant differences in weight and/or BMI in boys nor girls. The asthmatic boys had significantly higher fat mass % than the non-asthmatic ones (p Conclusion Examination of the BMI alone is not sufficient in asthmatic children because of their high percentage of fat. That is why additionally testing fat % is recommended.