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Abstract
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Article Information:
Lifestyle and Nutrition Profile of Overweight and Obese School Children in the Ga-East District of Ghana
M Steiner-Asiedu, Phyllis Addo, Betty Bediako-Amoa, Felix Y.M. Fiadjoe and Alex K. Anderson
Corresponding Author: Matilda Steiner-Asiedu
Submitted: April 29, 2012
Accepted: May 29, 2012
Published: June 25, 2012 |
Abstract:
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Understanding the dietary and physical activity behaviours of children and adolescent can aid the design
of effective interventions to control childhood obesity. Our study assessed the dietary and physical activity
behaviours and nutritional status of overweight/obese school children. A cross-sectional study design was employed.
Information on body weight, height, body fat, food choices, diet and physical activity behaviours were collected on a
random sample of 475 school children aged 8-18 years from August 2009 to August 2010. Biochemical data were
collected on a sub-sample (n = 107) of the participants. Mean BMI for females and males were 27.0±4.2 and
27.0±7.0 kg/m2, respectively. About 60% reported consuming no fruits or vegetables, whiles 79% preferred fried
foods over other forms of cooked food. Majority (60.9%) engaged in <60 min of physical activity a day. Significant
number of children had Hb below 12 mg/dL (40.1% of females and 41.8% of males). Acceptable levels of fasting
blood cholesterol (<170 mg/dL) and glucose levels (70 to 130 mg/dL) were recorded for majority of the participants
(97.2 and 96.3%, respectively). Dietary and physical activity behaviours of the participants were generally poor.
High blood glucose and cholesterol levels found among some of the school children studied is a public health issue
and calls for immediate action. Innovative ways to improve consumption of fruits and vegetables and increase
physical activity among children are needed.
Key words: Blood cholesterol, body mass index, dietary behaviour, hemoglobin, obesity, overweight, physical activity
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Cite this Reference:
M Steiner-Asiedu, Phyllis Addo, Betty Bediako-Amoa, Felix Y.M. Fiadjoe and Alex K. Anderson, . Lifestyle and Nutrition Profile of Overweight and Obese School Children in the Ga-East District of Ghana. Asian Journal of Medical Sciences, (3): 99-104.
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ISSN (Online): 2040-8773
ISSN (Print): 2040-8765 |
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