Biomedicine

Abstract

Introduction: Since the correlation between measures of adiposity and tests for alertness such as the reaction time has not been conclusively established, the present study was undertaken. Aims: This study sought to determine if the BMI had any correlation with the visual and auditory reaction time in south Indian males. Methods: Fifty young adult males volunteered for this study. The visual and auditory reaction time was recorded in all subjects. At the time of statistical analysis, the reaction time data was sorted into five BMI groups: underweight, normal weight, overweight, grade:1 obesity and grade: 2 obesity. The relationship between BMI and reaction time was analyzed by Pearson Correlation Coefficient test or Spearman Correlation Coefficient test wherever applicable. Comparisons of visual and auditory reaction time between and within the various BMI groups were performed by Bonferroni Post hoc Test. Results: The authors observed certain trends, a negative correlation between the BMI and visual reaction time (r value = 0.087) and a positive correlation between BMI and auditory reaction time (r value = 0.051). These findings, however, did not reach statistical significance (p value = 0.725). It was further observed that the longest visual and auditory reaction time was observed in individuals with grade: 1 obesity. Conclusions: These findings, although not entirely conclusive, seemed to suggest that body adiposity might affect the level of alertness.