title: An exploratory study of physical activity and over-weight in two senior high schools in the Accra Metropolis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Overweight and physical inactivity are major risk factors for non-communicable diseases. However, little evidence on physical activity, and overweight exists to support intervention in specific sub-populations including adolescents in low-income settings like Ghana. This study aimed at estimating overweight and determining the pattern and level of physical activity among senior high school students in the Accra Metropolis.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional study was conducted in the Accra Metropolis, among senior high school students, ages 15 to 19 years. Participants were selected using a two-stage cluster sampling technique. Structured questionnaire and anthropometric measurement were employed to gather information for the study. Students were considered as overweight if their Body Mass Index (BMI) ≥ +1SD, and obese if BMI ≥ +2SD.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Out of 444 students, 17% were classified as engaging in low level physical activity, 49% in moderate activity, and 34% in high level of physical activity. Much of the activity in boys was recreational while among girls, was due to domestic chores. The prevalence of overweight was 11.7%. Overweight prevalence was higher among female students (15.6%) compared to 4.5% in males. Furthermore the risk of overweight was lower among students who engaged in high physical activity than those engaged in low activity. Overweight was independently associated with physical activity (p=0.01), sex (p=0.001) and age (p=0.01), after controlling for age sex and physical activity and diet.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Majority of students in the study engaged in moderate to high physical activity. The prevalence of overweight was 11.7%. Physical activity was significantly related to overweight among students in the study.
authors.affiliation: Labone Senior High School, P. O. Box OS79, Osu, Accra. Ghana.
authors.forename: V K
authors.initials: VK
authors.lastname: Nyawornota
authors.affiliation: Department of Biostatistics, School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, P. O. Box LG13, Legon, Accra. Ghana.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Aryeetey
authors.affiliation: Department of Biostatistics, School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, P. O. Box LG13, Legon, Accra. Ghana.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bosomprah
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Policy, Planning & Management, School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, P. O. Box LG13, Legon, Accra. Ghana.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Aikins
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015992:Body Mass Index; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D005869:Ghana / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009043:Motor Activity; D050177:Overweight / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012574:Schools; D012737:Sex Factors; D013334:Students / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014505:Urban Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*
keywords: Adolescent; Diet; Ghana; Overweight; Physical Activity; School