Topic

Compare food need of individual of different stages of the life cycle.

Statement of Problem
To investigate health issues associated with inactive teenage girls between the ages of 15-18.

Research Questions

Do teenage girls consider regular activity as important for their development?

Are their health implications for teenage girls who exclude physical activity in their daily
routine?
What are the major benefits for teenage girls who practice an active lifestyle?

Introduction

Physical inactivity has been emphasized by the national and international scientific community
as an important risk factor for non-communicable chronic disease (NCDs) in adolescents.
Evidence shows that physical activity benefits health and blood pressure, dyslipidemia and
obesity control, in addition to improving motor skills, psychological development and the level
of social relationships.
The bodys total energy requirement is the sum of the energy expended for basal
metabolism, voluntary activity, and the influence of metabolizing food. Basal Metabolism is the
term given to the basic life-sustaining, vital-functions energy needs of the body.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 60% of the world population does not
meet the physical activity recommendations required to improve health. A multicenter study was
conducted in 20 countries between 2002and 2004, using the International Physical Activity
Questionnaire (IPAQ), found a prevalence of physical inactivity in adults that varied between 9%
and 43%. In Brazil, among participants of the present study, this prevalence was 30.45%.
Authors observed that men are more physically active than women in 17 of the 20 countries
studied. The results of a study conducted with adolescents aged between 13 and 15 years
indicated that only 28.8% of boys and 15.4% of girls met the physical activity recommendations.
There are several factors that may influence physical activity patterns: individual
characteristics such as motivation and motor skills, environmental characteristics, access to work
or leisure areas, architectural barriers, time availability and socio-cultural support. In addition,
socio-demographic characteristics such as level of education, marital status, sex and age seem to
be factors associated with a physically inactive lifestyle. Another factor that has helped to

decrease the promotion of an active lifestyle among adolescents is the adoption of sedentary
activities such as watching TV, playing video-games and using the computer.
Excessive involvement with intellectual activities, work and the absence of Physical Education
classes also contribute to such behavioural changes.
Consequently, the present study aimed to identify the factors associated with physical
inactivity, the researcher further investigates on the topic by doing a survey; the survey was
carried out at Rose Town. By doing this the researcher intends to learn more about the health
issues associated with inactive teenage girls between ages 15-18 in the community of Rose
Town.

Methodology
The researcher intends to investigate health issues associated with inactive teenage girls between
the ages of 15-18.
Through-out this entire project the researcher intends to attain his information using a
number of primary and secondary sources. The primary sources that the researcher wishes to use
include: questionnaires, while some of the secondary sources that will be employed include: the
internet and books. The research instrument that will be used by the researcher is questionnaire.
The researcher chose questionnaires because they guarantee the confidentiality and it may reach
a large mass in a short period. The questionnaires will be administered to the respondents
directly by the researcher and they will be assuring that confidentiality would be a major
importance of the researcher in dealing with their responses. The researcher will also encourage
the respondents not to correspond with each other during the exercise, their full co-operation as
well to be honest in giving their responses. In choosing the respondents employ, random
sampling will be used to assist the researcher in choosing a sample population from the
population for him to investigate.
The investigation consist of______ residents from the community of Rose Town, from
which all the subjects were female. The researcher chose this community because of its
experience of living in the community for over 17 years.
The questionnaires aim to administer to the population on the ____________________ and will
be collected as soon as the respondent is through.

Definition of Terms

Food
Food is any solid or liquid we consume to keep the body healthy.

Health
The overall condition of an organism at a given time.

Balance diet
A diet that contains adequate amount of all the necessary nutrients required for healthy growth
and activity.

Nutrient
Nutrients are molecules found in food to function correctly and to stay healthy.

Nutrition
The study of nutrients and their relationship with food and living things.

Inactive
Not active or tending to be active.

Nutritional Status
Nutritional Status is defined as the state of the body with respect to each nutrient and the overall
state of the body weight and condition.
Life cycle is the series of changes in the life of an organism including reproduction.

Fitness
Fitness is having a balance of physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual factors in ones life.
Adequate Diet

An Adequate Diet is one which supplies all of the nutrients the body requires for good health in
the proper amounts and at the proper time.

Life cycle
Life cycle is the series of changes in the life of an organism including reproduction.
Physical Activity
Physical activity is any activity that you may do that helps to improve or maintain your physical
fitness as well as your health in general

Literature Review

By Amanda Gardner
Inactive girls gained an average of 10 pounds to 15 pounds more than girls who were
active between the ages of 9 and 19, according to a study appearing in the July 16
issue ofThe Lancet.

An article entitled Adolescent Girls and physical Activity- Strengthening the Body,
Mind and Soul by Kimberly Blurdette states The sharp decrease in girls physical
activity level is really concerning because engaging in physical activity as a
preteen and teenager has important implications for adulthood. Research suggests
that helping girls develop active lifestyles as adolescents facilitates them
continuing that active lifestyle into adulthood. Inactive adolescents are very likely
to become inactive adults, and being inactive as an adult is related to substantial
risk of serious health conditions, including coronary health, stroke, high blood
pressure, and type 2 diabetes.

Population

The area that was selected by the researcher to carry out his research was the Rose Town
community. The research aimed at females active in any educational institution ages 15 through
to18.

Conclusion

Recommendation

 The researcher recommends that young teenage females should choose activities that they
find enjoyable and try to include activity in their daily routine.

Parents should also act as positive role models and encourage their children to participate
in a range of activities that suit them.

Schools should offer a range of activities that appeal to more than just the sporty types,
and that they are offered and delivered in a way that is appealing to teenage girls.

The World Health Organization could better implement their plan to reduce insufficient
physical activity by 10% by 2025.

Questionnaire

Topic: To investigate health issues associated with inactive teenage girls between the ages of 1518.
This questionnaire consists of fifteen questions; each respondent is expected to answer all
questions by indicating a tick or writing in the spaces provided. Your name is not required.
1. What is your gender?
Male
Female

2. How old are you?

15
16
17
18
3. How seriously do you take your health?
Serious
Very serious
Not serious
Other (please state)
4. How active are you physically?
Active
Very active
Not active
Others (please state)

5. Are your parents physically active?

Yes
No
6. What are the factors contribute to you being active or inactive?
7. How often do you take part in Physical Education classes at school?
Often
Very often
Not often
Others (please state)

8. Do you find the sporting activities offered at school appealing?

Yes
No
9. Are you aware of the health problems associated with being physically inactive?
Yes
No
10. If yes for the answer above, list two (2) major diseases that can be develop by being
inactive?
11. Do you find the sporting activities offered at school appealing?
Yes
No
12. Do you know of any health benefits of being physically active?
Yes
No
13. If yes for the answer above please state one (1)

14. How aware are you of the daily calorie intake for teenagers who are active?
Aware
Very aware
Not aware

Others (please state)

15. What kind of food do you normally snack on?
Salty foods such as chips
Sweet foods such as sandwich biscuits
Vegetables
Fruits

Findings

Findings from this research suggest that families have a large impact on childrens
activity levels.

 Despite some of the negative opinions raised in the survey, the researcher also advocate
that schools are still and ideal place for physical activity to take place, as activity is
timetabled and participation can be measured.

How serious do you take your health?

Active

32%
41%

27%

Very active
Not active

Figure 1 shows how serious teenage girls take their health. 59% of teenage girls take their health
very serious, 23%

How active are you physically?

32%

Active
41%

Very active
Not active

27%

How often do you take part in Physical Education classes at school?

36%
41%

Often
very often
Not often

23%

Do you find sporting activities offered at school appealing?

36%

Yes
No

64%