title: Low levels of physical activity in female adolescents cause overweight and obesity: are our schools failing our children?
abstract: The increasing prevalence of overweight and obesity among female adolescents is a global health problem. In developing countries such as South Africa, this increase is often associated with urbanisation and the adoption of a Western lifestyle. Two aspects of the Western lifestyle that contribute to the development of overweight and obesity are a decrease in physical activity levels and an increase in the consumption of energy-dense food, high in fats and refined sugar. Information on the prevalence of increased body fatness in populations in transition is scarce, but necessary for effective planning and intervention. Current indications are that there is a trend towards unhealthy behaviour among high-school girls, globally and in South Africa. Schools can play an important role in the prevention of overweight and obesity among schoolgirls. It is recommended that school governing bodies institute remedial action to prevent weight gain in children, especially girls.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology and Environmental Health, School of Molecular and Life Sciences, University of Limpopo, South Africa. marlise.vanstaden@ul.ac.za.
authors.forename: Nelly N
authors.initials: NN
authors.lastname: Mokabane
authors.forename: Mercy M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Mashao
authors.forename: Marlise
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: van Staden
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Potgieter
authors.forename: Annelize
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Potgieter
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior; D015992:Body Mass Index; D066273:Diet, Western / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000523:psychology; D002149:Energy Intake; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000502:physiology*; D020380:Needs Assessment; D009765:Obesity / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology; D050177:Overweight / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology; D015995:Prevalence; D012572:School Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D012737:Sex Factors; D013019:South Africa / Q000453:epidemiology