A descriptive study of physical activity and body mass index in Palauan adolescents

Date
2006
Authors
Calvo, Stephanie Ngirchoimei
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Abstract
Background: The purpose of the study was to examine physical activity and body mass index in Palauan adolescents using pedometers and BMI measurements. Methods: A total of 131 (63 females, 68 males; ages 10-14) middle school aged children from two accredited private schools participated in the study. The ethnicity group sample was 112 Palauans (85.5%), 11 Filipinos (8.4%), 7 Asians (5.3%) and 1 other (.8%). Participant's steps/day (eight days of monitoring) and height and weight measurements were obtained to determine Body Mass Index. Results: Boys (10800 ± 3167) accumulated approximately 2,800 (14%) more steps/day than girls (8000 ± 2967) (p<.01). No significant differences were found for the grade main effect and sex by grade interaction. There were no significant differences found in BMI between sexes, grades, and sex by grade interaction. Although there were no significant sex differences in BMI, approximately 29% of the boys were classified as overweight compared to 22% of the girls. It is evident that overweight disparities exist between Palauan boys and girls. Girls in the lean/healthy group acquired approximately 940 more steps/day (13%) than girls in the at-risk/overweight group. However, boys in the lean/healthy group accumulated 1400 steps/day (11 %) lesser than boys in the at-risk group. Conclusions: Palauan adolescents mean steps/day was 1900 (17%) lower when compared to national youth. We found a large disparity in overweight between boys and girls. In this study, 26% of the participants were overweight, which was 42% higher than the national average (15%).
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Thesis (M.S.)--University of Hawaii at Manoa, 2006.
Includes bibliographical references (leaves 14-15).
vi, 15 leaves, bound ill. 29 cm
Keywords
Teenagers -- Health and hygiene -- Palau, Palauans -- Health and hygiene, Body mass index -- Palau
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Theses for the degree of Master of Science (University of Hawaii at Manoa). Kinesiology and Leisure Science; no. 4115
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