Annals of Applied Sport Science

Background. Considerable research evidence shows that obesity negatively influences children’s physical, physiological and musculoskeletal wellbeing. This study examined the relationship between triponderal mass index (TMI), blood pressure (BP), and musculoskeletal fitness (MSF) in a cross-sectional sample of school children in Ado-Ekiti, Southwest Nigeria. Methods. Body weight, stature, systolic and diastolic blood pressures (SBP & DBP), and three components of musculoskeletal fitness, comprising sit and reach (SR), sit-up (SUP), standing broad jump (SBJ), and 20-meter shuttle runs, were assessed in 1229 (boys=483, 39.3%; girls=746, 60.7%) school children (age range: 9-13 years). Results. A significant positive correlation was found between TMI and SBP (r= 0.182, P < 0.01), and DBP (r= 0.090, P < 0.01), while TMI and SR (r= -0.067, P < 0.05) and SBJ (r= -0.246, P < 0.01) yielded a substantial inverse relationship. Children with severe underweight were significantly less probable to perform well in SBJ (OR= 0.96, CI= 0.94; 0.99) and 20-meter shuttle run (OR= 1.39, CI= 1.22; 1.61). Childhood overweight was associated with increased SBP (OR= 1.03, CI= 1.02; 1.05) and poor SBJ (OR= 0.98, CI= 0.97; 0.99). Obese children were significantly associated with increased SBP (OR= 1.04, CI= 1.02; 1.06), poor SR (OR= 0.92, CI= 0.87; 0.98) and SBJ (OR= 0.94, CI= 0.93; 0.96) scores compared to age- and sex-specific norms. Conclusion. Elevated BP and poor musculoskeletal fitness could adversely affect the wellbeing of undernourished, overweight, and obese Nigerian children. Findings implicate the need to implement dietary and physical activity intervention programmes to promote desirable health-related quality of life in school-going children.