Effects of Physical Exercise on Metabolic Health of Children and Adolescents in Calabar Metropolis, Cross River State, Nigeria

Abstract The purpose of the study is to investigate the effects of physical exercise on children and adolescent metabolic health in Calabar Metropolis, Cross River State, Nigeria. The objectives were to compare the results of the children’s and adolescents’ Body Mass Index (BMI) and metabolic health implications at pre-training programme and at post-training programme. The BMI served as a measure of the metabolic health status. To achieve this, the body measure of pupils and students from four primary schools and secondary schools were taken from ages between 11-16 years. The schools were randomly selected using simple random sampling techniques, where, where 400 samples was selected for the study comprising, 200 children from primary schools and 200 adolescent from secondary schools between the ages of 11-13 and between 14-16 years of age. There were ten primary schools selected and 10secondary schools selected within the Calabar metropolis (Simple Random sampling technique). A stadiometer was used for measuring the standing height (stature); and a standardized weighing scale for body weight, recorded in the metric system. The subjects were first measured and weighed and those who scored at or above BMI 85th percentile were identified as being either overweight or obese, and taken to participate specially in the 6-week training programme. After the 6-week training programme of aerobics, they were again measured and weighed. The Training programme consisted of physical exercises of aerobic nature to reduce body weight and eventually BMI. The Descriptive (Frequency and Percentage) Statistical analysis was used to investigate the differences before and after the 6-week training. The results showed children (11-13yrs) had 22 identified overweight /obese subjects at pre-training programme. The adolescents (14-16yrs) had 15 identified overweight /obese subjects at pre-training programme. The children (11-13yrs) had 11 identified overweight /obese subjects out of 22 subjects at post-training programme. The adolescents (14-16 yrs) had 11 identified overweight /obese subjects out of 15 subjects at posttraining programme. The study concluded that regular physical exercises properly organized to affect the muscular body would improve metabolic health of children and adolescents in terms of their BMI. The fact that some of the children and adolescents were able to bring down their body weights proves that metabolic health can become better with correct regular organized physical activities. That means the type of exercises; the intensity and duration are to be considered in maintaining good metabolic health. The study recommended among others that the school sports programme be seriously re-organized to provide opportunities to all students to avail themselves of better metabolic health. Keep fit programme of the schools should be enacted for the pupils; and children and adolescents should be enlightened of the need to take to recreation to reduce academic stress.

Keywords: Body Mass index (BMI), metabolic health; metabolic syndrome; obesity; physical exercises.