V K Nyawornota1, R Aryeetey2, S Bosomprah2, M Aikins3. 1. Labone Senior High School, P. O. Box OS79, Osu, Accra. Ghana. 2. Department of Biostatistics, School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, P. O. Box LG13, Legon, Accra. Ghana. 3. Department of Health Policy, Planning & Management, School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, P. O. Box LG13, Legon, Accra. Ghana.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Overweight and physical inactivity are major risk factors for non-communicable diseases. However, little evidence on physical activity, and overweight exists to support intervention in specific sub-populations including adolescents in low-income settings like Ghana. This study aimed at estimating overweight and determining the pattern and level of physical activity among senior high school students in the Accra Metropolis. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in the Accra Metropolis, among senior high school students, ages 15 to 19 years. Participants were selected using a two-stage cluster sampling technique. Structured questionnaire and anthropometric measurement were employed to gather information for the study. Students were considered as overweight if their Body Mass Index (BMI) ≥ +1SD, and obese if BMI ≥ +2SD. RESULTS: Out of 444 students, 17% were classified as engaging in low level physical activity, 49% in moderate activity, and 34% in high level of physical activity. Much of the activity in boys was recreational while among girls, was due to domestic chores. The prevalence of overweight was 11.7%. Overweight prevalence was higher among female students (15.6%) compared to 4.5% in males. Furthermore the risk of overweight was lower among students who engaged in high physical activity than those engaged in low activity. Overweight was independently associated with physical activity (p=0.01), sex (p=0.001) and age (p=0.01), after controlling for age sex and physical activity and diet. CONCLUSION: Majority of students in the study engaged in moderate to high physical activity. The prevalence of overweight was 11.7%. Physical activity was significantly related to overweight among students in the study.
BACKGROUND: Overweight and physical inactivity are major risk factors for non-communicable diseases. However, little evidence on physical activity, and overweight exists to support intervention in specific sub-populations including adolescents in low-income settings like Ghana. This study aimed at estimating overweight and determining the pattern and level of physical activity among senior high school students in the Accra Metropolis. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in the Accra Metropolis, among senior high school students, ages 15 to 19 years. Participants were selected using a two-stage cluster sampling technique. Structured questionnaire and anthropometric measurement were employed to gather information for the study. Students were considered as overweight if their Body Mass Index (BMI) ≥ +1SD, and obese if BMI ≥ +2SD. RESULTS: Out of 444 students, 17% were classified as engaging in low level physical activity, 49% in moderate activity, and 34% in high level of physical activity. Much of the activity in boys was recreational while among girls, was due to domestic chores. The prevalence of overweight was 11.7%. Overweight prevalence was higher among female students (15.6%) compared to 4.5% in males. Furthermore the risk of overweight was lower among students who engaged in high physical activity than those engaged in low activity. Overweight was independently associated with physical activity (p=0.01), sex (p=0.001) and age (p=0.01), after controlling for age sex and physical activity and diet. CONCLUSION: Majority of students in the study engaged in moderate to high physical activity. The prevalence of overweight was 11.7%. Physical activity was significantly related to overweight among students in the study.
Entities:
Keywords:
Adolescent; Diet; Ghana; Overweight; Physical Activity; School
Authors: Cora L Craig; Alison L Marshall; Michael Sjöström; Adrian E Bauman; Michael L Booth; Barbara E Ainsworth; Michael Pratt; Ulf Ekelund; Agneta Yngve; James F Sallis; Pekka Oja Journal: Med Sci Sports Exerc Date: 2003-08 Impact factor: 5.411
Authors: Russell R Pate; Dianne S Ward; Ruth P Saunders; Gwen Felton; Rod K Dishman; Marsha Dowda Journal: Am J Public Health Date: 2005-09 Impact factor: 9.308
Authors: Daniela Silveira; José Augusto de Aguiar Carrazedo Taddei; Maria Arlete Meil Schimith Escrivão; Fernanda Luisa Ceragioli Oliveira; Fabio Ancona-Lopez Journal: Public Health Nutr Date: 2006-06 Impact factor: 4.022
Authors: Mercedes de Onis; Adelheid W Onyango; Elaine Borghi; Amani Siyam; Chizuru Nishida; Jonathan Siekmann Journal: Bull World Health Organ Date: 2007-09 Impact factor: 9.408