Relationship between body mass index and tri-weight index with the six-minute walk test in older adults

Authors

  • Marco Cossio Bolaños
  • Ruben Vidal-Espinoza Universidad Católica SIlva Henriquez
  • Benjamin Jorquera-Donoso Universidad Católica del Maule
  • Pablo Pedrero-Valenzuela Universidad Católica del Maule
  • Camilo Urra-Albornoz Universidad del Bio Bio
  • Fernando Alvear-Vasquez Universidad Santo Tomas
  • Marcella Silva Ramos Donoso Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Estadual de Campinas Sao Paulo, Brazil
  • Rossana Gomez-Campos Universidad Católica del Maule

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.12873/

Keywords:

Anthropometric indices, BMI, TPI, Aerobic fitness, older adults

Abstract

Introduction: During the aging process of older adults (OAs), there is a decline in physical fitness, leading to difficulties with activities of daily living.

Objective: To analyze the relationship between Body Mass Index (BMI) and Tri-Weight Index (TWI) with the distance covered in the 6-minute walk test in OAs.

Methodology: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted on OAs aged 65 to 85 years of both sexes. A total of 200 OAs were investigated. Weight and height were assessed. BMI and TPI were calculated. Aerobic fitness (AF) was assessed using the 6-minute walk test.

Results: In men, BMI was found to have a significant negative correlation with the 6-minute walk test (r = -0.271, r² = 7.3%). However, WHR also showed a significant negative correlation (r = -0.366; r² = 13.4%). In women, BMI showed a similar correlation to that of men with the 6-minute walk test (r = -0.276; R² = 7.6%), which was significant and negative. Meanwhile, with ITP, the correlation was (r = -0.338; r² = 11.4%).

Conclusion: Both anthropometric indices (BMI and WHR) are negatively and significantly related to AA in MA of both sexes. However, despite having moderately low relationships, WHR was the anthropometric indicator that showed the greatest explanatory power for aerobic fitness in both sexes.

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Published

2025-09-17

How to Cite

[1]
2025. Relationship between body mass index and tri-weight index with the six-minute walk test in older adults. Nutrición Clínica y Dietética Hospitalaria. 45, 3 (Sep. 2025). DOI:https://doi.org/10.12873/.

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