Physical Activity and BMI Analysis

This assignment analyzes the correlation between physical activity and body mass index (BMI) based on given data. It presents descriptive statistics for both variables, utilizes an independent samples t-test to compare means, and interprets the results. The analysis also considers the assumptions of equal variances and provides outcomes under both scenarios.

Running head: QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH METHOD
Quantitative Research Method
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author’s Note

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Abstract
In the present study we investigate the effect of two physical activities on the BMI of teenagers
in the islands.
Physical Activity is a major cause of mortality. Physical activity improves the cardio respiratory
and metabolic function of the people. It also reduces adiposity and improves BMI of the people.
The analysis has been done using the statistical software SPSS. Teenage adults were selected for
the research. The sample was selected using the non-random sampling procedure. A sample of
40 students has been taken to run the analysis.
It has been observed from the data that the average BMI of swimmers is higher than that
of runners. As a result of the tests conducted, it has been observed that there is no difference in
BMI of teenagers as long as they participate in regular Physical Activity.

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Table of Contents
Introduction......................................................................................................................................3
Introduction..................................................................................................................................3
Research Question.......................................................................................................................3
Statement of the Problem.............................................................................................................3
Objective of the study..................................................................................................................3
Operational Definition.................................................................................................................3
Methods...........................................................................................................................................3
Procedure.....................................................................................................................................4
Sample Size.................................................................................................................................4
Hypothesis...................................................................................................................................4
Tools of Data...............................................................................................................................4
Data Collection............................................................................................................................4
Ethical considerations..................................................................................................................5
Results..............................................................................................................................................5
Descriptive Statistics...................................................................................................................5
Discussion........................................................................................................................................5
Appendices......................................................................................................................................6

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Introduction
Introduction
According to a study there has been an increase in obesity and overweight people in
developed countries of the world (1). The increase in obesity is related to hypertension, diabetes,
increase in depression, decrease in the quality of life as well as decrease in self-esteem of the
people. Physical activity has been found to be an effective mechanism in weight control
strategies. Besides decreasing the weight of the practitioner, physical activity has also been
found to be effective in controlling type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and some forms of
cancer.
Studies suggest that high BMI contributes to the majority of the diseases in Australia (2). Higher
levels of BMI has been found to be related to numerous diseases. A higher or lower level of BMI
reflects disproportionate use of energy intake and expenditure. Longitudinal studies have found
that women who carry out regular physical activity have a healthy BMI. Besides there is also a
decrease in obesity of the women who maintain regular physical activity. The study suggested
that 150 to 300 minutes of regular moderate intensity physical activity to obtain most
advantageous health benefits.
Research Question
Is there any association between Physical Activity and BMI of teenagers?
Statement of the Problem
The study is to explore the effect of varied physical activities like swim freestyle for 30
min and run outdoor for 1km on the BMI of a teenager.
Objective of the study
To determine the effect of Physical Activity on the BMI of a teenager.
Operational Definition
Teenage : “of or relating to the time in a person's life between the ages of 13 and 19
inclusive.”
https://www.thefreedictionary.com/teenage
Physical Activity : According to WHO the cardio respiratory fitness of a person depends
on the level of physical activity of the person (3). A person can achieve a higher level of physical
fitness with exercise. Moreover, the muscular strength of an individual increases with levels of
physical activity. The benefits of physical activity are less adiposity and increased bone mineral
density. Physical inactivity has been found to be fourth major cause for mortality. WHO
recommends 300 minutes of moderate or 150 minutes of vigorous intensity exercise. Aerobic
exercises have been found to be the best form of physical activity. Physical activity performed
more than 3 times in a week strengthens muscles and bones. It has also been found that regular
physical activity is helpful in the prevention of Non-communicable diseases.
BMI : The BMI of a person is the ratio of weight in kilograms to the square of the height
in meters (4). It is generally used as a measure of the obesity of a body. The higher the BMI the
more obese a person is. Thus it can be assumed that a person with high BMI is physically
inactive.
Methods
For the present study teenage adults were selected from the islands.
Non random sampling procedure was selected for the study. Teenagers who regularly run
for 1km or swim freestyle for 30 minutes regularly were selected as part of the study. Teenagers
who were willing to participate in the study were approached to be a part of the study. The age

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group of interest were teenagers of the township. The residents of the town were reached through
online surveys. A minimum sample of 40 was taken as ideal. The teenagers were divided into
two groups. One of the groups had those teenagers who regularly run for 1km. The other group
contained teenagers who regularly swim for 30 minutes. The height and weight of the teenagers
were taken. Thus the BMI of the teenagers were calculated.
The variables and their measure:
Variable Name Type Role Level Codes Measure
Name Nominal Explanatory Name Self-Report
Age Continuous Explanatory Years Self-Report
Gender Nominal Explanatory Male / Female Self-Report
Height Continuous Explanatory Meters Self-Report
Weight Continuous Explanatory Kg Self-Report
Physical Activity Categorical Explanatory Categorical Self-Report
BMI Continuous Explanatory Kg/ m2 Calculated
Procedure
For the present research 5-6 questions were used.
 The consent of the teenagers was taken to be part of the study.
 A pilot study was taken to check for the time to be consumed for the cost of the study as
well as effectiveness of the study.
 The age and gender of the participants was taken into consideration.
 The participants were divided on the basis of the physical activity the teenagers
participate in regularly.
 The height and weight of the teenagers was measured.
 The BMI of the teenagers was calculated.
Sample Size
A minimum sample size of 40 from the island was taken as ideal. The teenagers was
grouped on the basis of the regular physical activity - Runs Outdoor 1Km or Swim Freestyle for
30mins the teenagers undertake.
Hypothesis
Null Hypothesis: There is no difference in BMI for teenagers taking different Physical
Activity.
Alternate Hypothesis: There is difference in BMI for teenagers taking different Physical
Activity.
Tools of Data
A spreadsheet was used to collect the data. The data can be grouped into basically two
broad divisions –
Socio demographic profile of the teenagers – Name, Age, Gender and House Number of
the participants.
Variables – Height, Weight and Physical Activity.

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Data Collection
The data was collected from the island.
Ethical considerations
The teenagers were required to provide written consent for the participation in the
research.
Results
Descriptive Statistics
For the present research two different physical activities was considered. The physical
activities being considered were “Runs Outdoor 1Km” and “Swim Freestyle for 30mins.”
Analysis of the data showed that there were 20 teenagers who run outdoor 1 km regularly while
there were 29 teenagers who swim for 30 minutes regularly.
The average BMI of Swimmers (22.22 kg/m2) was higher than those of runners
(20.74kg/m2). The standard deviation in the BMI of swimmers (2.65 kg/m2) was found to be
higher than those of swimmers (3.06 kg/m2). The minimum BMI was lower for swimmers (15.33
kg/m2) as compared to those of Runners (16.65 kg/m2). The maximum BMI was lower for
runners (27.68 kg/m2) as compared to those of swimmers (27.79 kg/m2).
Moreover, the BMI of 50% of those who run for 1km outdoor was less than 20.11 kg/m2.
In addition, the BMI of 50% of swim freestyle for 30 mins was less than 22.42 kg/m2.
Further the analysis of the data shows those who run for 1km outdoor their BMI are
skewed right. On the other the teenagers who swim freestyle for 30 mins the BMI is normally
distributed, although there are some teenagers whose BMI is either very high or very low.
From the hypothesis it is seen that the t-value (47) = -1.800, p-value = 0.078. Since the p-
value is more 0.05, level of significance, hence we do not reject the Null Hypothesis. Thus there
is no difference in the average BMI of runners (20.74 kg/m2) and swimmers (22.22 kg/m2).
Discussion
The analysis of the data shows that there is no difference in the BMI of the teenagers
doing different physical activity. The results of the study are in conjunction with previous studies
done. Various types of Physical activities can be undertaken by teenagers to maintain a active
healthy life and reduce BMI.
The researched suffered from a number of limitations. The teenagers for the study were
selected through the process of non-random sampling. Only those teenagers were selected who
either regularly participated in running outdoors for 1Km or swim freestyle for 30mins.

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Appendices
Table 1: Descriptive Statistics (BMI)
Physical Activity
Runs Outdoor 1Km Swim Freestyle for 30mins
N Valid 20 29
Mean 20.74 22.22
Median 20.11 22.42
Std. Deviation 3.06 2.65
Minimum 16.65 15.33
Maximum 27.68 27.79
Figure 1: Comparison of Physical Activity

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Figure 2: Comparison of Physical Activity
Table 2: Independent Samples Test
Equal
variances
assumed
Equal
variances not
assumed
BMI
Levene's Test for
Equality of Variances
F 1.148
Sig. .289
t-test for Equality of
Means
t -1.800 -1.752
df 47.000 36.982
Sig. (2-tailed) .078 .088
Mean Difference -1.478 -1.478
Std. Error Difference .821 .843
95% Confidence
Interval of the
Difference
Lower -3.130 -3.187
Upper .173 .231

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Reference
1. Van Dyck D, Cerin E, De Bourdeaudhuij I, Hinckson E, Reis RS, Davey R, Sarmiento
OL, Mitas J, Troelsen J, MacFarlane D, Salvo D. International study of objectively
measured physical activity and sedentary time with body mass index and obesity: IPEN
adult study. International journal of obesity. 2015 Feb 1;39(2):199-207.
2. Pavey TG, Peeters GG, Gomersall SR, Brown WJ. Long-term effects of physical activity
level on changes in healthy body mass index over 12 years in young adult women.
InMayo Clinic Proceedings 2016 Jun 30 (Vol. 91, No. 6, pp. 735-744). Elsevier.
3. World Health Organization. Global recommendations on physical activity for health.
2010.
4. Patton KT, Thibodeau GA. Anatomy & Physiology-E-Book. Elsevier Health Sciences;
2014.