PREVALENCE OF PHYSICAL INACTIVITY AND OBESITY AMONG SCHOOL GOING CHILDREN IN SINDH

Abstract

Background: Physical inactivity and obesity are the two emerging problems in Pakistan. Schools have been identified as an important setting for health promotion through physical activity participation. Many schools in Pakistan mainly concentrates on the higher study level and very low attention towards children's physical health that may impair due to low physical activity level and increased sedentary behavior leading to obesity and other health issues. Objectives: The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of physical inactivity and obesity among school going children in Sindh, Pakistan. Study Design: cross sectional study Setting: Schools of Tando Muhammad Khan and Nawabshah Sindh, Pakistan. Period: August 2018 to Jan 2019 Material & Methods: The Study was conducted on 400 randomly selected 7th 10th students from The students from 7 to 10 class were included in the study. Two tools were used for data collection including Physical Activity Questionnaire for Children (PAQ-C) for measuring PA level and weight machine and inch tape were used for measuring Body Mass Index (weight and height). Results: The mean age of the participants was 13.79 ± 1.522, the mean of physical activity level among participants was 2.04± 0.59 that indicates moderate level of physical activity. The mean BMI of the participants was 25.05 ± 119 which falls into the category of overweight, 328 participants were females and 72 were males Conclusion: A very light level of physical activity was found among the children. Most of children reported lack of physical education classes in their schools. About 2.5% of children were found obese and 10.3% were overweight.