Physical Activity during School – Strategy for Preventing Obesity
Physical Activity during School – Strategy for Preventing Obesity

Author(s): Oana Nechita (Atomei)
Subject(s): Social Sciences
Published by: Editura Lumen, Asociatia Lumen
Keywords: Physical education; obesity; adolescents
Summary/Abstract: Introduction: Besides family, the school must provide a suitable environment which leads to healthy eating behaviors and regular physical activity. The number of physical education classes decreased from numerous specializations in high school because of the greater emphasis on theory classes. Most teenagers spend their free time in front of a screen: TV, computer, tablet or smartphone, instead of doing various physical activities outdoors. Besides unhealthy diets, these behaviors promotes obesity during adolescence. Materials and Methods: We evaluated 223 students aged between 14 and 18 years old. We aimed to identify, evaluate, analyze and establish correlations between anthropometric parameters, physical activity and obesity, based on questionnaires completed by students.Results: Physical Activity Survey showed that among 223 high school students, 33 do not participate in physical education class, and 5 are overweight or obese. 53% go walking, on average, less than half an hour on the way home-school, 33% within one hour, 10% in about 2 hours, 1% in about 3 hours and 3% over 3 hours. 63% spend 1-4 hours a day watching TV and 64% use computer, laptop, tablet or smartphone. Among 21 overweight and obese students identified, 15 students spend more than 4 hours a day in front of a screen. Concluzie: Physical activity during school is very important in preventing obesity. Measures for obesity prevention among teenagers are increasing the number of physical education classes, especially in classes that have now allocated one hour per week, and proper time management.

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