BMI changes in high school football linemen transitioning from senior year to college

Abstract

An elevated Body Mass Index (BMI) has been linked to increasing risk factors for developing cardiovascular disease and other life threatening conditions such as diabetes. In addition, the rate of this increase can intensify risk factors and increase the difficulty of weight loss. OBJECTIVE: To identify BMI increases among the 2005 graduating class of 5A and 6A high school football lineman as they enter into a Division I college program during the 2006 season. METHODS: Rosters from 2005 High School (HS) seniors in the Wichita area and incoming 2006 freshmen in Division I college football programs (COL) were used to retrieve the height and weight of linemen. These values were then used to determine height and weight of the incoming class of 2006 linemen. This data was used to determine the BMI (wt / ht2) of each athlete; comparisons were made between the HS and COL linemen regarding BMI risk factor stratifications. RESULTS: A significant difference between all categories was reported, the height difference between the groups was 2 inches (increase of 2.7%, p≤0.05), weight increased by 34 pounds (increase of 13.3%, p≤0.01). BMI of lineman increased by 8.4% (28.69 ± 3.71 to 31.31 ± 3.38). CONCLUSION: Results suggest that football lineman shifted from a BMI classification of ‘overweight’ in high school to a classification of ‘category I obesity’ during their transition from high school to their first collegiate weigh-in. The rapid gain in weight increases the athletes’ risk factor levels from low to moderate in a matter of months.