Association Between Body Mass Index and Handgrip Strength in Middle-Aged Adults

Abstract

Handgrip strength (HGS) is a practical indicator of muscle strength and is influenced by several factors, including body composition. Body mass index (BMI) is a widely used anthropometric measure for assessing weight status; however, the association between BMI and HGS among middle-aged adults remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the association between BMI and HGS among middle-aged adults. Methods: This quantitative cross-sectional observational study was conducted in a community setting in East Java, Indonesia, in February 2026. A total of 61 middle-aged adults aged 45–59 years participated in the study, comprising 24 males and 37 females. BMI was calculated from body weight and height measurements. HGS was assessed using a dynamometer in the dominant hand, with two measurements obtained and averaged for analysis. Data normality was assessed using the Kolmogorov–Smirnov test. Because the data were not normally distributed, Spearman’s rank correlation test was used to examine the association between BMI and HGS, with statistical significance set at p < 0.05. Results: The mean BMI was 24.78 ± 4.377 kg/m², while the mean HGS was 23.90 ± 5.412 kg. Participants were classified as underweight (6.6%), normal weight (29.5%), overweight (14.8%), and obese (49.2%). Spearman’s rank correlation analysis showed a negligible negative association between BMI and HGS (ρ = −0.005, p = 0.969). Conclusion: No statistically significant association was observed between BMI and HGS among middle-aged adults in this study. These findings suggest that BMI alone may not adequately reflect variations in handgrip strength in this population