Physical Activity Levels among Young Adolescent Students in Urban Karachi, Pakistan

Abstract

Background An increase in the burden of disease due to low physical activity has been reported in many countries, including Pakistan. Physical activities are not given priority and are not seen as beneficial for young adolescents' health. The study investigated the physical activity levels of young adolescents in Karachi, Pakistan. The COM-B model provided the framework for examining the challenges, opportunities, and motivating factors related to physical activity. Study Design A sequential explanatory mixed methods design was employed. Quantitative data were collected and analysed from adolescents attending a private school in Karachi that functions under the Aga Khan Education Services Network. The quantitative data were used to profile the physical activity of the 6th to 8th grade students. Six hundred and seventy-one adolescents from the ages of 10 to 14 years participated in the survey and a total of eight focus groups were conducted with students, physical education teachers, and parents’ groups. A total of 79 participants participated in FGDs. The BMI of each participant was calculated to profile the sample. The qualitative data were gathered through focus group discussions to explore the factors that influence physical activity behaviors. Utilizing Elo & Kyngas's (2008) method of analysis, the qualitative data that could not be aligned with the existing domains of the model used in the study were analyzed through an inductive approach. Findings Height, weight, and BMI were measured with a sample of 604 students. The average BMI of young adolescents aged 10-14 years was 18.5 ±4.1 for both the sexes; boys had Mean ± SD, BMI of 18.2 ±4.2, whereas, girls had Mean±SD, BMI of 18.6. ±3.9. The mean height and standard deviation of adolescents were 147.7cm ± 8.8 and the mean weight and the standard deviation was 40.7 kg ± 11.4. Age and BMI category were not associated with physical activity. On a scale of 1 (low physical activity) to 5 (high physical activity), the students reported a mean physical activity score of 3.09 (SD 0.70). Girls had lower physical activity scores than boys in each grade: Grade 6 (p = 01); Grade 7 (p = .01) and Grade 8 (p <.001). The mean levels of physical activity did not change across the 3 grades for all the students (males and females), while for girls, the levels of physical activity dropped across the grades, from Grade 6 to Grade 8 (p = .001) and from Grade 7 to Grade 8 (p <.001). The qualitative findings revealed that there are many impeding and enabling factors influencing adolescents’ PA related to capability, opportunity, and motivation. Further, factors that were rooted in religious as well as cultural norms were evident in the data. Conclusion The adolescent students were engaged in moderate levels of physical activities. Physical activity declined for girls as they reached higher grades. Hence, the study revealed that understanding these factors is necessary to promote PA among young adolescent students in a local context. In addition, the BMI of students’ increases with age, however, no association is found between BMI and physical activity.