Objective:

To analyze the relationship between muscle strength and nutritional status in schoolchildren aged six to 12 years.

Material and methods:

447 schoolchildren (248 boys and 199 girls), aged 8.8 ± 1.8 years, from a public school in the city of Chihuahua, Mexico participated. To measure muscle strength, two standardized physical tests were used: 1) flexion of arms and 2) performing abdominals. Nutrition status was assessed by body mass index and waist circumference.

Results:

Schoolchildren with obesity performed fewer repetitions, both in the arm and abdominal flexion test, compared to students with normal weight. An inverse correlation was found between greater overweight / obesity with muscle strength tests.

Conclusions:

In schoolchildren, muscle strength correlates negatively with overweight and obesity.

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