Teachers’ Perception of Physical Activity on Obesity in Early Childhood Education in Benue State, Nigeria
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Abstract
This study examined the teacher perception of physical activity on obesity in early childhood education in Benue State, Nigeria. Simple random sampling technique was used to select one hundred and fifty (150) preschool teachers as respondents for the study. The instrument used for this study was adapted and modified instrument. Data collected was analyzed using simple percentages and frequency counts. The findings of this study revealed that a greater percentage of the respondents indicated that obesity is a condition of excess unhealthy fat in the body, and also means excess body weight which shows that the preschool teachers possess high level of knowledge of the concept of obesity. The study also revealed that greater percentage of the respondents indicated that excess consumption of carbohydrate foods cause obesity and lack of spending too little time doing physical activities are some of the causes of obesity in children which shows that the preschool teachers possess a high level of knowledge regarding causes of obesity. The study further revealed that greater percentage of the respondents indicated that engaging in physical activity improves blood pressure and aerobic fitness and engaging in physical activity helps to maintain and achieve a healthy body weight in children which shows that the preschool teachers possess a very high level of knowledge on the benefits of physical activity as a remedy for obesity. The study therefore recommends that children should be discouraged from eating meals or snacks while watching TV. Eating in front of the TV may make it difficult to pay attention to feelings of fullness and may lead to overeating among others.
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Copyright (c) 2024 David Monday Onojah (PhD), Ojochide Joy Samson, Toyibat Mojisola Salaudeen, Akoche Emmanuel, Aysha Olapeju Kolade, Regina Omaji (Author)
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
David Monday Onojah (PhD), Federal College of Education (Special), Oyo.
Department of Early Childhood Education,
Federal College of Education (Special), Oyo.
Ojochide Joy Samson, Federal College of Education, Odugbo, Benue State.
Department of General Studies Education,
Federal College of Education, Odugbo, Benue State.
Toyibat Mojisola Salaudeen, Federal College of Education (Special), Oyo.
Department of Early Childhood Education,
Federal College of Education (Special), Oyo.
Akoche Emmanuel, Federal College of Education Odugbo Benue State.
Department of Home Economics Education,
Federal College of Education Odugbo Benue State.
Aysha Olapeju Kolade, Federal College of Education Odugbo Benue State.
Department of Primary Education Studies,
Federal College of Education Odugbo Benue State.
Regina Omaji, Federal College of Education, Odugbo, Benue State.
Department of Integrated Science,
Federal College of Education, Odugbo, Benue State.
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