ABSTRACT

The study was intended to determine the relationship between BMI and %BF as determinant of obesity and the extent to which overweight and obesity become a challenge among adolescent students of secondary school in Mubi. The study sought to investigate those aspects in terms of prevalence between males and females students, causes, and the implications that overweight and obesity have in adolescents.

Systematic random sampling was used to select schools while stratified sampling and simple random sampling were used in selecting students. Measurement of weights and height were done to determine Body Mass Index (BMI), measurements of skinfolds were also done to determine body fat percentage.

Findings revealed a weak positive relationship exist between BMI and %BF, r=0.216(p<0.05). An average of 16.2% students were found overweight and obese. Nutrition and inactivity were causes of overweight and obesity. In addition, overweight and obese adolescents were reported to underperform in physical activities. The study revealed that overweight and obesity were not friendly healthy conditions to adolescents, thus a need to work it out. The study recommend that human kinetics, exercise physiologist, sport and health should put a mechanism that will guide and develop all adolescents interest at school to participate in physical activities and sport. There is also a need to control the calories given to children in relation to activities they engage in.