Background:Childhood overweight and obesity,
which are considered as global epidemic, can be
assessed using Body Mass Index (BMI). BMI
difference can lead to anatomic changes due to an
increased body load. This increase might also affect
motor performance, including changes in postural
balance and muscle strength. Aims and Objectives: to
explain the influence of BMI on postural balance and
lower limb muscle strength and to assess the
correlation between those two variables in children
aged 8-10 years. Material and methods:The sample
consisted of 63 children aged 8-10 years, which were
divided in 3 groups: BMI-normal, BMI-overweight,
and BMI-obese. The postural balance was assessed
using single leg balance test on MatScan and the Center
Of Pressure (COP) area was recorded. Isometric
muscle strength of hip extensor and knee extensor were
measured using a hand-held dynamometer. Results:
Obese children had significantly largerCOP area than
overweight (p = 0.004) and normal weight children (p
= 0.000).There were no significant differences in hip
extensor muscle strength between obese children with
overweight and normal weight children (p=0.527). The
absolute knee extensor muscle strength in obese group
was significantly higher than the overweight and
normal group (p = 0.003). However the relative muscle
strength of lower limb for obese children was
significantly lower than for normal weight. There was
no significant correlation between absolute hip
extensor and knee extensor muscles strength with COP
area. Conclusion: Obese children have decreased
postural balance and increased absolute knee extensormuscle strength significantly when compared to
overweight and normal children. There is no
significant correlation between postural balance and
muscle strength