Level of Physical Activity and Obesity among the Adolescent School Children

Abstract

Background: Physical activity is crucial for overall health and well being of an individual. As childhood obesity started to become serious public health concern, physical activity is a proven tool for prevention and treatment of obesity. As lifestyle and behavior pattern is formed at adolescence age it is essential that healthy lifestyle, good food habit start in this age. Hence we aim to find the level of physical activity and obesity among the adolescent school children. Method: This is a cross sectional study conducted in October 2015 at a private school at Bhaktapur, Nepal. A total of 83 students studying in class 8, 9 and 10 were included in population frame. Valid self administered questionnaire were used regarding physical activity, dietary patterns and height and weight was measured and BMI index for age percentile growth chart was used to interpret the BMI of the participants. Result: Out of the total 83 respondents, 51 were boys and 32 were girls. Among them 26 respondents performed physical activity for at least 60 min a day for more than 3 days/ week and 31 participants performed the same for less than 3 days/ week. Forty eight of them consumed junk food 1-2 times a week, and 44 consumed fruits 1-2 times a week. Regarding the habit of watching TV and working on computer, 50 of them watched television for less than 2 hrs/day/week, 60 spent less than 2hrs/day/week in computer for homework and 55 spent less than 2 hrs/day/week on computer for fun. Twelve percent (12 %) of the total participants were either overweight or obese. Conclusion: Twelve percent of the students were either overweight or obese, which is average as compare to the study done in India. 18-20 Increasing trend of indoor game, sedentary life style and consumption of junk food is responsible for overweight and obesity in children.