SPS9F4: Physical Activity & Obesity in Young People Factsheet

This report addresses the rising prevalence of obesity among young people in the United Kingdom and emphasizes the crucial role of physical activity in combating this issue. It highlights that physical activity increases energy expenditure, reduces abdominal fat accumulation, and contributes to overall fitness by improving bone mineral density and cardiovascular health. The report suggests suitable physical activities, including moderate exercises like playground activities and cycling, as well as vigorous activities like tennis and running, for at least 60 minutes daily. It also acknowledges potential limitations such as overuse injuries, overtraining syndrome, changes in appetite, and frustration related to body image, particularly for adolescents. Special considerations for children with disabilities are also mentioned. The report references several studies supporting the benefits of physical activity in preventing and managing obesity in young people.

Prevalence of obesity in UnitedPrevalence of obesity in United
KingdomKingdom
In the year 2014, 62 % of the adults has
been considered to be overweight or
obese. More than two thirds of the men
and about six in 10 women are found to be
obese. Excessive accumulation of fat can
have long term consequences like the
development of coronary heart disease,
diabetes and osteoarthritis (The
guardian.com., 2015).
Target group-Target group- The prevalence of obesity
among the younger population is high.
Some of the common factors due to which
the younger population is vulnerable to
obesity are – the genetic factors, lack of
physical exercises, unhealthy diet, large
portion sizes or a combination of several
factors.
Physical activity and obesity
It is the physical activity that increases the
total expenditure of energy in younger
people that can help them to stay in
energy balance. Physical activity
decreases the accumulation around the
waist, and eventually slowing down the
incidence of abdominal obesity (Holfelder
and Schott 2014).
Benefits of physical activity in this
group
•Physical activities would prevent the
excess weight gain by increasing the
energy expenditure of the body.
•Physical activity can also contribute to
fitness by increasing the bone mineral
density.
•Overweight children have greater chance
of cardiovascular diseases due to excess
adiposity and life style behavior.
•Exercises transports the fats away from
the arteries. It reduces the level of the LDL
cholesterol that can occur due to the fatty
deposits in the arteries.
•Physical activity has been found to be
increasing the bone mineral density in
children suffering from Type 1 diabetes.
Student Names and ID
Limitations to exercise within this group
• Overuse injury- Exercises not done as per
the guidelines might lead to injuries in
tissues and ligaments.
• Exercise might lead to overtraining
syndrome like fatigue, depression, sleep
deprivation, mood swings.
• Exercises might change appetite in children.
• Frustration- Adolescent boys and girls might
feel less satisfied with their bodies after they
were exposed to the photos of celebrities
with perfect figures.
• Special consideration or special guidelines
of exercises are there for children with
disabilities like cerebral palsy, ADHD or
other muscular disorders (Katzmarzyk et al.
2015).
References
Agha, M., and Agha, R. 2017. The rising prevalence of obesity: part
A: impact on public health. International journal of surgery.
Oncology, 2(7), e17.
Holfelder, B. and Schott, N., 2014. Relationship of fundamental
movement skills and physical activity in children and adolescents: A
systematic review. Psychology of sport and exercise, 15(4), pp.382-
391.
Katzmarzyk, P.T., Barreira, T.V., Broyles, S.T., Champagne, C.M.,
Maher, C., Olds, T. and Church, T.S., 2015. Physical activity,
sedentary time, and obesity in an international sample of children.
Maggio, A.B., Rizzoli, R.R., Marchand, L.M., Ferrari, S., Beghetti,
M. and Farpour-Lambert, N.J., 2012. Physical activity increases
bone mineral density in children with type 1 diabetes. Medicine and
science in sports and exercise, 44(7), pp.1206-1211.
The guardian.com., (2015). Child obesity rising again, NHS report
reveals. Access date: 13.2.2019. Retrieved from:
https://www.theguardian.com/society/2016/nov/03/child-obesity-
rising-again-nhs-report-reveals
Suitable physical activity for the obese
young people
•Suitable physical activities include 60 minutes
of physical activities ranging from moderate
activities like playground activities, cycling and
other vigorous activities like tennis and running
(Holfelder and Schott 2014).
•Activities should involve exercises for strong
bones and muscles, like sports such as tennis
or gymnastic. Some of the activities like riding
a scooter or skateboarding.
Physical activity and obesity in young people