THE RATIO BETWEEN HEIGHT AND BODY MASS FOR 8TH GRADE SPECIAL NEED EDUCATION PUPILS

Abstract

The aim of this research was to compare the Body Mass Index of pupils with mental disabilities enrolled in special educational institutions with the Body Mass Index of students in public educational institutions, in the purpose of adapting/perfecting the learning process in the subject of Physical Education and Sport, in special educational institutions.
During this project we decided to verify if there were significant height, weight or BMI differences between the two types of students (students enrolled in special educational institutions and students in the public schools of Bucharest).
The poll of the research had been composed of 60 students separated in 4 groups of 15 students each: 2 groups of girls in 8th grade (special education and the correspondent group enrolled in public schools) and 2 groups of boys in 8th grade. Therefore, comparisons have been realized between these two types of students, corresponding with their age and sex.
From the point of view regarding the statistical methods used, the mathematical SPSS program had been used, applying the Man-Whitney test as a nonparametric test. The results of the comparisons stated that there were differences in height and weight between the students enrolled in special and public educational institutions. However, when judging by the Body Mass Index of the students there were no significant differences.