Prevalence and management of childhood obesity

The purpose of this study was to establish the prevalence of overweight and obesity in children aged 10-15 years in Nairobi, Kenya. The study also sought to establish the efficacy of aerobic exercises in intervening and managing these conditions. The study was carried out in two phases with the first phase utilizing a cross-sectional design to assess prevalence of overweight and obesity (N=5325). The second phase was experimental assessing the effects of a 10 weeks aerobic dance programme on overweight and obesity (N=69).Data were organized in SPSS and analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistics. Results indicated a notable prevalence of overweight and obesity with girls being more susceptible to these conditions.Aerobic dance exercises were shown to have significant effects on overweight and obesity, with children who participated in the aerobic exercises programme recording lower BMI and percent body fat. Recommendations were made based on these findings.

Autorentext

Jane Wanjiku Kamau (PhD) is a lecturer at Kenyatta University, Kenya in the Department of Recreation Management and Exercise Science.Her Book highlights the prevalence of overweight and obesity among Kenyan children in Nairobi(capital city). The book also explores the efficacy of aerobic dance exercises towards managing these conditions.