Body Mass Index Profiles of Police Cadets Belonging to Three Different Academy Classes

Greta Connelly, Quincy Johnson, Cody Diehl, Charlie Kornhauser, Robert G. Lockie, Rob Marc Orr, Jay Dawes

Research output: Contribution to conferencePosterResearch

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Abstract

Body mass index (BMI) is a method frequently utilized for assessing an individual’s health status, and for predicting morbidity and mortality risk. Although BMI has been criticized as being inaccurate for individuals with larger body frames and greater muscle mass, it does provide an easy and cost-effective health risk assessment that can be used to broadly determine if more invasive measures of body composition are warranted. PURPOSE: To assess the general health status of police cadets attending three separate training academies from one US based law enforcement agency. METHODS: Archived data for 127 (M = 111, F =16 age = 31.3±7.3; Ht = 178.4 ± 8.9 cm; Wt = 87.5 ± 16.7 kg; BMI = 27.4 ± 4.6) police cadets was utilized for this analysis. Prior to academy training, cadets had their height and weight measured via a doctor’s beam scale in order to track changes in body mass during academy training and to assess general health status. BMI was calculated by dividing body mass in kilograms (kg) by height in meters squared (m2). Based on their BMI score, individuals were classified into one of four major categories: underweight (BMI < 18.5 kg/m2), normal weight (BMI = 18.5 - 24.9 kg/m2), overweight (BMI = 25-29.9 kg/m2) obesity (BMI ≥30 kg/m2). RESULTS: Based on their BMI score 2% of all cadets were classified as underweight, 33% as normal weight, 44% as overweight, and 22 % as obese. CONCLUSIONS: Based on these findings, it appears that the majority of police cadets attending training academy would be classified as overweight or obese. These findings are concerning based on the known health risk associated with failure to attain and maintain an ideal body mass level. BMI may provide a simple measurement of preliminary health status for cadets participating in academy training that can later be used for providing physical activity and nutritional recommendations.
Original languageEnglish
Publication statusUnpublished - 25 Oct 2019
EventAmerican College of Sports Medicine Central States Annual Meeting - Broken Arrow, United States
Duration: 24 Oct 201925 Oct 2019
http://www.acsm.org/acsm-membership/regional-chapters/acsm-chapters/central-states/annual-meeting

Conference

ConferenceAmerican College of Sports Medicine Central States Annual Meeting
Abbreviated titleACSM
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityBroken Arrow
Period24/10/1925/10/19
Internet address

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