Physical Activity Level and its Association with Corpulence among Adolescents Attending School from Marrakech-Safi Region (Morocco)

Abdelmoujoud El haboussi^1,2*, Mohamed-Kamal Hilali², Mohamed Loukid² and Rekia Belahsen¹

Published: August 04, 2022

View Pdf

Abstract  

Background: Several studies have examined the association between physical activity and body size globally. However, few researches has focused on this aspect in Morocco. The objective of this study is therefore to explore the level of physical activity and its association with certain anthropometric indicators of corpulence among Moroccan schoolers of Marrakech city and in the province of Al-Haouz.
Methods: A retrospective survey was performed using a questionnaire to examine PA behavior in 1173 high school students, aged 15 to 19 years. Measurements of the respondents ‘height and weight and body fat percentages using an impedance meter. The PA level was estimated based on the participants’ total daily energy expenditure.
Results: The survey data show that students spend, on average, 4 hours per day in front of a screen and only 63 minutes in a sporting activity and that 25% of students are moderately active while 20% are considered to be sedentary active. Averages of body mass index (BMI) and body fat are much higher in the sedentary group compared to the moderately active group, with differences in mean BMI and body fat respectively of 1.24 kg / m2 (F = 4.8; p = 0.009) and 1.62% (F = 3.79; p = 0.023) in boys, and 1.33 kg / m2 (F = 6.21; p = 0.002) and 2.48 % (F = 3.54; p = 0.03) in girls.
Conclusion: The present study results reveal further evidence of the need to promote physical activity among high school students.

.