A Description of Physical Activity Levels and Overweight among Senior High School Children in the Accra Metropolis
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Date
2017-04-26
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Abstract
Physical activity is fundamental to energy balance and weight control. Globally, about 23 per cent of adults and 81 per cent of school-going adolescents are not active enough (WHO). Physical inactivity and the prevalence of overweight are rising at an alarming rate worldwide. It is considered the 4th risk factor for non-communicable diseases and specifically responsible for the increases in overweight among adolescents and adults. There is little evidence on physical activity and overweight among the adolescents in Ghana. This presentation focuses on overweight, obesity, physical activity and inactivity levels among adolescents in the Accra Metropolis. 500 students between the ages of 15 and 19 completed a structured questionnaire. Results indicated that there is a greater risk of overweight among the less physically active. The study recommended that mechanisms must bekk put in place to increase physical activity levels to reduce overweight and non-communicable diseases
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Overweight, energy balance, WHO, Ghana