The association between physical activities and overweight/obesity among adolescent girls in three provincial girls’ schools in Piliyandala Educational Zone, Colombo, Sri Lanka.

Abstract

Abstract:-Obesity/overweight in adolescents have declared as a risk for noncommunicable diseases in late life. The level of physical activity is considered a useful determinant in assessing the risk of overweight/obesity. Thus, this study aimed to determine the association between activity level and overweight/obesity among adolescent girls. A descriptive crosssectional study was conducted in three selected girls’ schools in Piliyandala Educational Zone. A total of 277 participants between 10-19 years, who were willing to maintain a 3-day activity diary were selected by simple random sampling technique. A pre-tested questionnaire was used to obtain demographic data. Results revealed that prevalence of overweight and obesity were 15.2% and 13.7% respectively. About 48.4% were normal weight and 22.7% were underweight. The participants spent <2 hours (49.5%), 2-4 hours (35%),4- 6 hours (13%), >6 hours (2.5%) on mobile phone, computer and TV per day while they spent < 2 hours (16.3%), 2-4 hours (32.1%), 4-6 hours (24.2%), >6 hours (27.4%)on education purposes (i.e. tuition /study at home). Around 47.3% participants spent 6- 8h/day for sleep. The activity diary showed that 26% of students performed <60 min of exercises 1-3 days/week, while 74 % avoid perform any. In conclusion, risk of obesity/overweight was dominantly seen in the adolescent girls in this study and it was significantly associated with activity level (p<0.05). Programmes on activity level modification would be an effective strategy in reducing the prevalence of overweight/obesity in adolescent girls.