KNOWLEDGE OF THE INFLUENCE OF LIFESTYLE ON FITNESS PROMOTION AMONG SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS

KNOWLEDGE OF THE INFLUENCE OF LIFESTYLE ON FITNESS PROMOTION AMONG SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS (ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE PROJECT TOPICS AND MATERIALS)

ABSTRACT

viA declining level of physical activity and preponderance of unhealthy lifestyles among adolescents and youths are presently a public health concern, in view of the long term implications of present levels of physical inactivity and prevalent unhealthy lifestyles. This research study was carried out to assess the influence of knowledge of lifestyle on fitness promotion among Edo State Secondary School Students. A field survey was carried out involving 150 respondents randomly drawn from five schools in the Benin Metropolis. Responses from the participants were analysed using the Chi Square test. Results showed that students posses a low level of knowledge of the influence of lifestyle on fitness promotion. Hence it was also found that students lead lifestyles that do not promote their fitness and even overall wellbeing, neither do students meet recommended levels ofphysical activities. In the view of the foregoing, it was basically recommended that all stakeholders including the government, school administrations, health organisations and parents should in their different roles, help in promoting the adoption of healthy lifestyles as well as increased physical activity by secondary school students and youths in general.

CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
Background of the Study
The wellbeing of any individual can be said to be mainly an offshoot or a function of one’s lifestyle and practices over a long period of time spanning childhood, teenage or adolescence and adulthood. This same view is corroborated by Adesina (2012), who acknowledged a growing conviction that adults’ health and wellbeing have their origin in behaviour established during childhood and there is a general agreement that youths should be encouraged to adopt active lifestyles which can be sustained into adult life. Adopting a lifestyle that promotes physical fitness have always been emphasized, given that physical fitness is one of the key signs of optimal wellness and health. Olubayo-Fatiregun, Ayodel and Olorunisola (2014) stressed that the status of health that one enjoys at a given time is determined by multifaceted factors in which physical activity plays a vital role and the interaction of all these factors determines the level of fitness and wellness an individual might experience at any given time.
Lifestyle simply is one’s typical way of living that is usually expressed in coping with one’s physical, psychological, social, and economic environments on a day-to-day basis. Shehu, Onasanya, Onigbinde, Ogunsakin and Baba (2013) defined lifestyle “as the sum total of individuals’ ways of life. In a context relevant to our study, Shehuet.

KNOWLEDGE OF THE INFLUENCE OF LIFESTYLE ON FITNESS PROMOTION AMONG SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS (ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE PROJECT TOPICS AND MATERIALS)