Body Mass Index and Growth Spurts in School Teenagers in Addis Ababa - the Case of a Private School.
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Date
2018-09-04
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to assess variation in mean body weight, height and body mass
index(BMI) between age and sex cohorts of school teenage children in Deliverance Primary &
Secondary School of Addis Ababa in grades 7 to 10 (age 13-17)(Private School).
Lottery sampling method was used in selecting students. Measurement of weight and height were
done to determine mean height, mean weight and BMI variations of students based on age and
sex. The researcher used quantitative research methods to describe sample students’ weight and
height. The sample students were from grade 7 to 10 of both sexes, males and females.
The height, weight and MIof students of age 13-17 years were recorded in this study to
determine rates of growth and body weight status of school teenagers in Addis Ababa Private
School (Deliverance Primary & Secondary School).The results showed that mean height ranged
between 1.49m (13 years) and 1.69m (17 years) while the individual height range was 1.23m -
1.86m. Males were taller than females for all age groups. The highest height increment was
observed between 13 and 14 age groups (2.67%) and 14-15 age groups (2.6%). The mean weight
range was 49.81kg – 77.98kg while the individual weight range was 30kg – 88kg. The highest
percentage increment was 15.72% (13-14 years old).
The mean BMI ranged between 22 kg/m2 and 28.50 kg/m2while the individual BMI range was
16.90 kg/m2-32.41kg/m2. Based on the BMI values almost all age categories of males and
females were overweight except 13 year old males who had normal weight.
The results revealed that at age 13 and 14 there were high body and weight growth. Based on the
findings and conclusions of the study, it is recommended that the stakeholders in education and
sports teachers should put a mechanism that will guide all children at schools to participate in
physical activities.
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Keywords
Body Mass Index, Growth Spurt, School Teenagers, Height, Weight, Private School