Effects of Health-Related Knowledge and Aerobic Exercise on Lower Secondary School Students' Obesity Awareness and Physical Activity Levels

Oct 15, 2026

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This study examined how health-related knowledge and aerobic exercise affect lower secondary school students’ obesity awareness and physical activity levels. Fifty obese and twenty normal-weight female students aged 12–14 participated. Obesity awareness was measured with the Obesity Awareness Scale, covering nutrition and physical activity awareness, while physical activity was assessed using a pedometer. An obese experimental group received health/nutrition instruction and an aerobic program, while two control groups received neither. After the intervention, obesity, nutrition, and physical activity awareness increased significantly in the experimental group, and physical activity improved in the obese control group.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages7

Reading Time18 min

AccessFree to download

Introduction

Method

Results

Discussion

References

Asian Journal of Education and Training Vol. 6, No. 2, 297-303, 2020 ISSN(E) 2519-5387 DOI: 10.20448/journal.522.2020.62.297.303 © 2020 by the authors; licensee Asian Online Journal Publishing Group Effects of Health-Related Knowledge and Aerobic Exercise on Lower Secondary School Students' Obesity Awareness and Physical Activity Levels | Gizem Akgül Ertan 1 Funda Coşkun Özyol2 􀀣 | | --- | | | | | 1Şehit Kemal Görgülü Lower-Secondary School, Van, Turkey. (􀀣 Corresponding Author) 2 Van Yüzüncü Yıl University, The School of Physical Education and Sports, Van, Turkey. Abstract The objective of this study was to examine the effects of health-related knowledge and aerobic exercise on lower secondary school students' obesity awareness and physical activity levels. A total of 50 obese and 20 normal-weight female students, ranging in age from 12-14 (mean 12.10±1.7), participated in the study. Obesity awareness was determined using the Obesity Awareness Scale, which also incorporates awareness of nutrition and physical activity. Physical activity levels were determined using a pedometer. The participants were divided into one obese experimental group and 2 control groups, obese and normal weight. The obese experimental group received instruction in health and nutrition and followed an aerobic exercise program, while the control groups received no such instruction and did not participate in an exercise program. The health education program was conducted once a week, while the aerobic exercise program was performed three times a week, with each session lasting 45-60 minutes. At the conclusion of the study, the obesity awareness, nutrition awareness, and physical activity awareness scores of the students in the obese experimental group increased significantly compared to those of the obese control and normal control groups. Similarly, the physical activity levels of the students in the obese control group increased with respect to those of the obese and normal-weight control groups. These findings suggest that health-related knowledge and aerobic exercise were effective in increasing obesity awareness and the physical activity levels of lower secondary school students. Keywords: Secondary school student, Health-related knowledge, Obesity awareness, Physical activity, Aerobic exercise, Pedometer. Acknowledgement: Both authors contributed to the conception and design of the study. Funding: This study was supported by the Research Fund of Van Yüzüncü Yıl University in Turkey with Project Number: SYL-2018-7383. Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no conflict of interests. Transparency: The authors confirm that the manuscript is an honest, accurate, and transparent account of the study was reported; that no vital features of the study have been omitted; and that any discrepancies from the study as planned have been explained. Ethical: This study follows all ethical practices during writing. Contents 1. Introduction .................................................................................................................................................................................... 298 2. Method ............................................................................................................................................................................................. 299 3. Results .............................................................................................................................................................................................. 300 4. Discussion........................................................................................................................................................................................ 301 References ...........................................................................................................................................................................

FAQs

What was the objective of this study?

To assess the effects of health-related knowledge and aerobic exercise on obesity awareness and physical activity levels among lower secondary school students.

How were obesity awareness and physical activity measured?

Obesity awareness was measured using the Obesity Awareness Scale, including nutrition and physical activity awareness. Physical activity was measured using a pedometer.

How were the participants grouped and what did each group receive?

Participants were divided into one obese experimental group and two control groups (obese and normal-weight). The experimental group received health and nutrition instruction plus an aerobic exercise program, while control groups received no such instruction and no exercise program.

Oct 15, 2026

Upload by Marglet