Relationship between Childhood Obesity and Pupils’ Participation in School Physical Activities in Lower Primary Schools in Nairobi County, Kenya

Obesity is a condition of abnormal or excessive fat accumulation in the adipose tissue to the extent that health may be impaired. Globally it is estimated that approximately 155 million children are obese. Studies have also revealed that childhood obesity has become a serious health epidemic, where more than a third of children aged 2-19 years are obese. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between childhood obesity on pupils’ level of participation in school physical activities. The study objectives were to establish the prevalence of childhood obesity among pupils in lower primary schools and its influence on pupils’ participation in physical activities among grade three pupils in Kasarani Sub County, Nairobi County. The study was guided by the Looking Glass Self Theory that was developed by Charles Horton Cooley. A mixed-method study design was employed. The target population was headteachers, teachers and grade three pupils in Kasarani Sub-County. Simple random sampling and purposive sampling techniques were employed to select the sample schools and pupils, respectively. Interview schedules, anthropometric datasheets and questionnaires were used to collect data. Data were analysed by both qualitative and quantitative procedures. The findings showed that the prevalence rate of childhood obesity was 11.6 %. The findings also indicated that childhood obesity had no statistical significance on the level of participation in physical activities