Abstract
Background: Obesity has become a pandemic, with more than a billion people affected worldwide. During the past two decades, the prevalence of obesity in children has risen greatly throughout the entire world. This is especially alarming in youth where the new prevalence is above predicted trends. Objective: This study was aimed at providing an intervention program for adolescents in the category of overweight/obese in accordance with physical activity (PA) guidelines. The total duration of the project was 8 weeks. The purpose of the study was to assess the effects of the intervention and promote lifelong participation in physical activities. Methods: The research sample was made up of high school students chosen in accordance with selected criteria of BMI between 25 ≥ 35.5 (n = 27). Data was collected from the participants through the use of questionnaires, internet, and pedometers, as well as objective measurements of height, fat and BMI using the Tanita Body Composition Analyzer. Results: Results showed that there was no reduction in BMI. There was also an increase in the amount of vigorous activity and number of steps throughout the intervention. The logical significance of 240 METminutes per week was seen in their study, whereas in our study we noticed a four times greater increase with 957 METminutes per week, and logical significance in all areas. Conclusions: In conclusion it was noted that increased activity reduces a sedentary lifestyle, while it improved social, mental and health status. In addition, our data indicate that sedentary behaviors are strongly related to overweight/obesity in adolescents. It also demonstrates that the type of model implemented with the intervention must reflect a holistic role and activities must critically reflect the interest and preferences of the participants, so that motivation to proceed is strong and conditions for adherence could be set up.
Highlights
Obesity is reaching epidemic proportions, afflicting a growing number of people in industrial and developing countries alike (Brown, 2000; Dehghan et al, 2005; Popkin & Doak, 1999)
Referring to the International Physical Activity Questionnaires (IPAQ) scoring manual we can say that our results can be placed in the second category which consists of a range between 600–3,000 MET minutes per week
The goal of the present research was to determine whether the intervention conducted among three secondary schools could lead to a reduction in obesity levels, as well as produce positive behavioral changes in overweight or obese adolescents
Summary
Obesity is reaching epidemic proportions, afflicting a growing number of people in industrial and developing countries alike (Brown, 2000; Dehghan et al, 2005; Popkin & Doak, 1999). The World Health Organization (WHO) projects that by 2015, approximately 2.3 billion adults will be overweight and more than 700 million will be obese (WHO, 2006) This is especially alarming in youths where the new prevalence is above predicted trends. Tong and Fung (2003) quoting several authors, including Barlow and Dietz (1998); Must and Strauss (1999) suggested that the heightening of global concern with obesity can be attributed to the link between obesity and certain non communicable diseases and premature mortality They suggested that the concern is heightened by research findings that indicate a positive relationship between obesity in childhood and overweight and obesity in adulthood. During the past two decades, the prevalence of obesity in children has risen greatly throughout the entire world This is especially alarming in youth where the new prevalence is above predicted trends
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