Normal-weight obesity and low muscle mass in college students: Associations with physical activity and bone health.

IF 1.5 4区医学 Q2 EDUCATION & EDUCATIONAL RESEARCH

Journal of American College Health Pub Date : 2026-10-07 DOI:10.1080/07448481.2026.2744901

Melissa Cline, Michael Paalani, W Lawrence Beeson, Ernesto Medina

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Objective: Body mass index (BMI) may fail to identify cardiometabolic risk in young adults with unfavorable body composition. This study examined associations between low skeletal muscle mass, lifestyle behaviors, and bone health in normal-weight college students, defined as those with a BMI in the normal range (18.5-24.9 kg/m²).

Participants: Eighty-seven students (85% female; mean age 20.9 years) with normal-range BMI from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo.

Methods: Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry assessed body composition and bone mineral density. Low muscle mass was defined as appendicular lean mass index z-score ≤ -1.0. Multivariable regression examined predictors of muscle mass and bone outcomes.

Results: Twenty-two percent exhibited low muscle mass despite normal BMI. Physically active students had 93% lower odds of low muscle mass compared to inactive students (OR = 0.07, 95% CI: 0.01; 0.54, p = .010). Physical activity (β = 0.85, 95% CI: 0.35; 1.36, p = .001) and meal skipping (β = -0.71, 95% CI: -1.23; -0.20, p = .007) independently predicted bone density. Despite normal BMI, 61% had elevated triglycerides.

Conclusions: BMI-based screening may underestimate health risk. Body composition and lifestyle assessment may improve early identification.

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大学生正常体重肥胖和低肌肉量：与体育活动和骨骼健康的关系

目的：身体质量指数（BMI）可能无法识别身体成分不利的年轻人的心脏代谢风险。本研究调查了正常体重大学生骨骼肌质量低、生活方式行为和骨骼健康之间的关系，正常体重大学生定义为BMI在正常范围内（18.5-24.9 kg/m2）。参与者：87名体重指数正常的学生（85%为女性，平均年龄20.9岁），来自加州州立理工大学圣路易斯奥比斯波分校。方法：采用双能x线吸收仪测定人体成分和骨密度。低肌肉质量定义为阑尾瘦质量指数z-score≤-1.0。多变量回归检验了肌肉质量和骨骼结果的预测因子。结果：22%的人表现出低肌肉量，尽管BMI正常。与不运动的学生相比，积极运动的学生肌肉质量低的几率低93% （OR = 0.07, 95% CI: 0.01; 0.54, p = 0.010）。身体活动(β= 0.85,95% CI: 0.35, 1.36, p =。001)和三餐(β= -0.71,95% CI: -1.23, -0.20, p =。007)独立预测骨密度。尽管身体质量指数正常，但61%的人甘油三酯升高。结论：基于bmi的筛查可能低估了健康风险。身体成分和生活方式评估可以提高早期诊断。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Journal of American College Health Multiple-

CiteScore

5.40

自引率

12.50%

发文量

388

期刊介绍： Binge drinking, campus violence, eating disorders, sexual harassment: Today"s college students face challenges their parents never imagined. The Journal of American College Health, the only scholarly publication devoted entirely to college students" health, focuses on these issues, as well as use of tobacco and other drugs, sexual habits, psychological problems, and guns on campus, as well as the students... Published in cooperation with the American College Health Association, the Journal of American College Health is a must read for physicians, nurses, health educators, and administrators who are involved with students every day.