Body composition analysis of pupils in urban schools in central Uganda

Abstract

A pre experimental research was conducted to analyse the body composition of 1929 pupils aged 6 to 9 years in central Uganda. Anthropometric measures (height and weight) were taken and Body Mass Index (BMI) was computed. Pupils were classified into respective weight categories using WHO (2007) CDC –BMI for sex–age growth charts. The results showed that out of the 901 boys 92% had normal weight, 5% were underweight, 2 % were overweight and 1% was obese. Of the 1028 girls, 78.5% had normal weight, 3.1% were underweight, 11.6% were overweight and 6.8% were obese. The results also revealed significant gender difference with boys having lower mean BMI scores than girls (using p ≤ 0.05). The study concluded that underweight, overweight and obesity are prevalent of among Ugandan children and this requires putting in place strategies that promote physical activity and appropriate nutritional habits in schools and communities.