The correlation of body mass index and the handgrip strength in sedentary university students

Hand grip strength is commonly used to assess muscular strength and is increasingly recognized as an indicator of nutritional status.This study analyzes the correlation between body mass index (BMI) and hand grip strength (HGS) in sedentary university students.This cross-sectional, observational study included 54 undergraduate students from the Department of Health Universitas Airlangga, selected using a convenience sampling method.BMI was calculated using Quetelet's formula, while hand grip strength was assessed in the dominant hand using a Camry digital hand dynamometer, measured in kilograms.Statistical analyses were conducted using the SPSS Statistics program.Participants were categorized into four groups based on BMI classification concerning HGS.The mean BMI values were as follows: underweight (17.05±1.104),normal weight (20.58±1.426),overweight (23.74±0.350),and obese (28.58±3.868).The mean HGS values were: underweight (28.67±9.885),normal weight (26.76±5.796),overweight (32.23±9.085),and obese (34.95±9.659).The Spearman correlation test between BMI categories and HGS was not significant (p > 0.05).Males and females had mean BMI values of 24.33±4.765kg/m² and 22.14±4.871kg/m², respectively, with corresponding HGS values of 38.68±7.287kg and 24.56±3.304kg.The Spearman correlation test between BMI categories and gender was also not significant (p > 0.05).In conclusion, no significant correlation was found between BMI and HGS among sedentary university student.