Level of physical activity among school children at two selected schools

Abstract

Purpose: To explore the level of physical activity among school children at two selected schools. Objectives: To find out the level of physical activity of the school children, to find out the level of physical activity between boys and girls school children and to find out the BMI of the school children. Methodology: Cross sectional type of study design was used to conduct the study where 200 participants were selected for this study. The data was collected by using a semi structure questionnaire (International Physical Activity Questionnaire) to evaluate physical activity level. Descriptive statistics was used for data analysis which was displayed through table, pie chart and bar chart. Result: Among 200 participants 26.5% (n=53) sometimes did physical activity, 39.5% (n=79) occasional did physical activity 23% (n=46), often did physical activity, 5% (n=10) quite often did physical activity, 6% (n=12) very often did physical activity. Among them 57% (n=114) were boys and 43% (n=86) were girls. Among boys participants 9% (n=10) did little physical activity, 43.8% (n=50) occasional did physical activity, 28% (n=32) often did physical activity, 8.7% (n=10) quite often did physical activity, 10.5% (n=12) very often did physical activity, among girls participants 50% (n=43) did little physical activity, 33.8% (n=29) occasional did physical activity, 16.2% (n=14) often did physical activity. Conclusion: The result of the study demonstrates that most of the school children occasional did physical activity and girls are more inactive than boys. This study can help to focus the awareness of physical activity. Girls should be motivated for school based physical activities, participation in outdoor sports and games, increase physical activity in urban area and also parents education about importance of physical activity. Keywords: Physical activity, school children, sex, BMI, urban and rural area.