Body Composition in Childhood Discussion

Purpose: To follow changes in body mass index (BMI) in a group of children over a period of 4 years.

Most physical fitness test batteries for children include a measure or estimate of body composition. Body composition in children can be measured using many methods. Each has advantages and disadvantages, and each has limitations that lead to measurement errors. One practical measurement for school programs is BMI based on height and weight (body weight in kilograms divided by the square of height in meters). The BMI is not a measure of fatness but rather an assessment of obesity.

In this assignment, you will use BMI measurements, of five boys and five girls (ages 5.5 to 9.5 years) to look at change over a substantial part of the childhood period. The BMI data you will use is provided in Table 12.1 (Excel sheet) below.

You will use this Excel sheet to make your calculations and your graphs. Make sure that after you make the calculations and the graphs for both the boys and the girls