Why does FITNESSGRAM offer BMI as an option for body composition testing?
The preferred method of determining body composition for the FITNESSGRAM test is with estimates of body fatness. Skinfold measures are the recommended technique but other tools may be used to provide these estimates. Body Mass Index is offered as an alternative because occasionally teachers are not familiar with the skinfold test, or there are regulations in the school district limiting the use of skinfold measurements. There are limitations associated with the use of BMI for assessing weight status or body composition. The main limitation is that the BMI will yield inaccurate values for people that have a large muscle mass. Despite these limitations, the use of BMI does yield some useful information for evaluating patterns and trends in groups of people. FITNESSGRAM includes body composition as only one of several components of fitness assessment, rather than relying on BMI testing or skinfold measurements alone. FITNESSGRAM also assesses aerobic capacity, muscular strength and endura
