Bone diameters and their relationship with BMI and fat percentage in Mexican college athletes

Abstract

The aim of this study was to relate bone diameters with BMI (body mass index) and fat percentage in Mexican university athletes. A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out with a sample of 335 men (21.26 ± 1.97 years) and 339 women (20.83 ± 2.97 years). Participants were measured for weight and height to obtain BMI, and to classify the ranges into normal weight and ponderal index (overweight and obesity). Bone diameters (biacromial, transverse thoracic, antero-posterior thoracic, biiliocrestal, humerus and femur) and skinfolds were also evaluated to obtain the percentage of fat. All measurements were performed according to ISAK recommendations. Statistical analyses were performed with SPSS software (Version 25). Men and women with a ponderal index BMI showed wider bone diameters and a higher percentage of fat than those with normal weight (p = 0.000). High correlations of transverse thoracic diameter and antero-posterior thoracic diameter with BMI (p ≤ 0.001) and moderate associations of transverse thoracic, antero-posterior thoracic, biiliocrestal and femur diameters with fat percentage (p ≤ 0.001) resulted. Having a larger bone diameter may be associated with an elevated BMI of overweight and obesity, and a high percentage of fat.