Impact of BMI in Activities of Daily Life in College Students

Abstract

The research paper “Impact of BMI in Activities of Daily Life in college going students” was designed to investigate the association between Body Mass Index (BMI), which in turn refers to weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared (kg/m²), and aspects such as trunk muscle endurance, low back pain (LBP), and functional ability in a population of college students that tends to become more and more exposed to sedentary lifestyle and musculoskeletal issues in early ages. The chosen title plays a crucial role in illustrating perfectly the main underlying theme that high levels of BMI could dictate the way in which people perform daily life activities through decreased trunk muscle endurance as well as through increased low back pain. This research forms a narrative review of over twenty-five international studies between 2014 and 2026 that explore the associations between BMI, trunk endurance tests, such as the McGill protocol and Biering-Sorensen, sedentary patterns, inflammatory mechanisms, neuromuscular control, and LBP prevalence across students from various countries. These were selected to provide recent evidence, global comparisons, physiological explanations, and critical discussion on limitations with respect to using BMI as a measure of adiposity. Along with the literature synthesis, a primary cross-sectional survey was conducted among 92 Indian college students in the age group of 18–25 years (mainly physiotherapy and health sciences students).

Data collection instruments included obtaining demographic information, 12-month and 7-day history of low back pain, activity limitations, and functional performance measures of plank hold time (core muscular endurance), one-minute sit-ups as a measure of trunk flexor muscular endurance, push-ups, and hand-grip strength. BMI is calculated using height and weight. Statistical analysis included the use of descriptive statistics for all data. Independent t-tests or the Mann-Whitney U-test were conducted for the gender comparison. For analysis of data according to BMI categories, one-way ANOVA or the Kruskal-Wallis tests were performed. Spearman correlation analysis was conducted to analyze the results. The results showed moderate negative relationships between higher BMI and core/back endurance, as well as higher occurrences (70-90%) of LBP in the last 12 months among overweight and obese students, as supported by global literature indicating decreased trunk muscle endurance among higher BMI individuals. The study concluded that higher BMI was correlated with decreased stability of the back and elevated LBP among college students, thereby stressing the need for students to undertake back exercises and overall wellness programs as measures of preventing later-life complications, such as back and diabetes issues.

Objective: To investigate links between BMI groups and core/back muscle endurance, LBP incidence, and functional limitations in a college population, on the basis of literature and primary survey research.

Methods: Cross-sectional analysis of self-reported and performance measures from 92 college students (primarily aged 18-25 years, physiotherapy/health sciences majors). Core muscle endurance (plank hold time), back strength proxy measure (sit-up count), push-up endurance, hand grip strength, and 12-month LBP history were measured. Results are discussed in the context of 25+ international studies on BMI, core function, sedentary behaviour, and college health.

Results: Higher BMI had a moderate negative association with plank hold time and sit-up ability. Overweight/obese students reported higher prevalence of LBP in the 12 months (~70-80%) and plank endurance times (~25-45 s vs. 50-80 s in normal/underweight students). It is well documented in the literature that obese students have 20-40% lower trunk endurance and higher sitting times.

Conclusion: Higher BMI in college students is known to be associated with decreased core/back muscle endurance and increased risk of LBP. There is a need for core training programs in colleges.