Ismat Jabeen1, Rukhsana Zuberi2, Kashmira Nanji3. 1. Department of Family Medicine, The Aga Khan University. 2. Family Medicine and Department of Educational Development, Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi. 3. Research, Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To determine physical activity level and its correlational factors among secondary school adolescents. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted in two public and two private schools in Jamshed Town, Karachi, from March 2012 to June 2013, comprising students aged 10-17 years. The subjects, selected by simple random sampling were students of grades VI, VII, VIII. Physical activity was measured using the Physical Activity Questionnaire for older children. Socio-demographic data was also collected. SPSS 19 was used to analyse the data. RESULTS: Of the total 216 students, 131(60.6%) were girls and 85(39.5%) were boys, with an overall mean age of 13±1.4 years. Of the total, 151(70%) subjects had moderate and 65(30%) had low physical activity levels. Boys educated in public schools and those with parental support for sports were more physically active (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Private school without playgrounds, female gender and lack of parental support for sports were correlates of physical inactivity among the students..
OBJECTIVE: To determine physical activity level and its correlational factors among secondary school adolescents. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted in two public and two private schools in Jamshed Town, Karachi, from March 2012 to June 2013, comprising students aged 10-17 years. The subjects, selected by simple random sampling were students of grades VI, VII, VIII. Physical activity was measured using the Physical Activity Questionnaire for older children. Socio-demographic data was also collected. SPSS 19 was used to analyse the data. RESULTS: Of the total 216 students, 131(60.6%) were girls and 85(39.5%) were boys, with an overall mean age of 13±1.4 years. Of the total, 151(70%) subjects had moderate and 65(30%) had low physical activity levels. Boys educated in public schools and those with parental support for sports were more physically active (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Private school without playgrounds, female gender and lack of parental support for sports were correlates of physical inactivity among the students..