Assessment of Adolescents' Daily Physical Activity & It's Relation to Obesity in Secondary Schools at AL-Najaf AL-Ashraf City

Abstract

Objectives: To assess the secondary schools adolescents' daily physical activity & It's Relation to Obesity.

Methodology: A descriptive study is carried out at Secondary Schools in AL-Najaf AL-Ashraf City, of December 1^st, 2011 to April 6^th, 2012.A multi stage sample of (1350) subjects were selected throughout the use of probability sampling. The data are collected through the use of semi-constructed questionnaire designed for the purpose of the study, which consist of three parts (1) Sociodemographic data of that consist of 14-items (2) daily physical activity Scale that consists of 10-items (3) Anthropometric Measurements which consists of Weight and Height. Reliability of the questionnaire is determined through a pilot study and the validity through a panel of (24) experts.

Results: The finding of the present study indicated that there is significant relationship between the daily physical activity for the study participants' and parents social status while the daily physical activity and the other variables indicated no significant relationship. The results also shows no significant relationship between the daily physical activity and the body mass index.

Conclusion: Present study concluded that most of the secondary schools adolescents have daily physical activity problems.

Recommendation: the study recommends that the students would be given opportunities to participate in students' organizations, conferences, and schools' physical projects to promote their level of daily physical activity, constructing and implementing educational programs for secondary schools teachers about how to decrease obesity among their students. Mass media approach should be used by the Ministry of education to increase students' knowledge and awareness of the obesity as a health problem.