Is There a Link between Balance and Body Mass Composition in Children and Adolescents?

Abstract

School-age children are particularly prone to disturbances in body composition, because this is a period of intensive growth and a period in which correct habits are shaped, especially in relation to diet. This is why it is so important to diagnose emerging disorders early so as to implement therapeutic or educational activities. The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between the factors of body mass composition and body mass index (BMI), as well as the balance parameters in children and adolescents. The study group consisted of 1137 children aged 7 to 15. There were 559 girls and 578 boys among the subjects. The study used the Tanita 780 body mass composition analyser and the Zebris stabilometric platform. It was found that girls were characterized by a significantly higher content of adipose tissue (24.37% vs. 20.45%), while boys were characterized by a higher content of lean tissue (32.99% vs. 30.43%), muscle tissue (31.23% vs. 28.86%) and water (24.15% vs. 22.28%). Interestingly, the girls had better balance than their peers in all analyzed parameters (COF TTL.—616.72 vs. 661.50; CEArea—73.63 vs. 112.24; COF HD—3.44 vs. 4.23; COF VD—4.52 vs. 5.12). It turned out that among children in adolescence, a higher adipose tissue content and a higher BMI correlated with a smaller surface area (p < 0.05) defined by the center of gravity and smaller deviations of the center of gravity in the horizontal plane (p < 0.05). Sex and adolescence play an important role in differentiating both body composition and body balance. The results of this study allow us to conclude that children with higher BMI values have better balance. Due to the fact that these conclusions are inconsistent with those of other researchers, it will be worth continuing the research (e.g., on a different population group) in order to confirm the results and to draw far-reaching conclusions.

Balance and Posture in Children and Adolescents: A Cross-Sectional Study

“…This fact may also be related to the fact that older young people have more weight. The BMI results are consistent with studies that have found a negative correlation between balance and BMI [41] and also are in line with the results of a recent study in which children and adolescents with higher BMI performed better on balance parameters [33].…”

“…This observation may indicate the higher stability of the girls. This finding is consistent with the studies conducted by Rusek et al [33] and Ludwig et al [15]. These observations have also been made in other studies in adults [34,35]; therefore, it will be important for future studies to examine more closely the neuromuscular patterns associated with gender differences.…”

Differences in Body Balance According to Body Mass Classification among Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Athletes

“…The displacements of the center of gravity were recorded at a frequency of 100 Hz. The method assesses postural sway while a patient is standing in a fixed standing position (static test) based on graphical records of displacements of the point of application of the resultant forces of pressure with feet on the ground (COP—center of pressure) [ 23 , 24 , 25 ].…”

Is There Influence of Gender and the Specificity of Sports Activities on the Performance of Body Balance in Young Athletes?

“…Many authors have analyzed the body mass index and its impact on body balance, but the results of the authors’ research differ in terms of their results. Scientists evaluated the relationship between body mass index (BMI) factors and balance parameters in children and adolescents [ 24 ]. The study group consisted of 1337 children aged 7 to 15.…”