Physical Activity Levels and Body Mass Index Among Secondary School Adolescents in Kaduna State, North West Nigeria

Physical inactivity and overweight among adolescents are emerging public health concerns in Nigerian secondary schools, driven by sedentary screen-based leisure, reduced physical education time, and changing dietary patterns. This study examines physical activity levels and body mass index among secondary school adolescents aged 12 to 18 years in Kaduna State. A cross-sectional design is applied to 350 students from ten mixed secondary schools selected through stratified random sampling across urban and semi-urban local government areas. The International Physical Activity Questionnaire for Adolescents is administered to assess sedentary behaviour and activity levels, while body mass index is calculated from measured height and weight. Data are analysed with SPSS, employing analysis of variance and Pearson correlation to examine relationships between activity level and BMI categories. Available studies on Nigerian adolescent health indicate a growing prevalence of overweight and obesity in urban school settings, with male adolescents in North West states showing lower structured physical activity engagement than national norms. The study is guided by the Socio-Ecological Model of physical activity behaviour. Findings will support Kaduna State's school health programme in integrating structured physical activity policies and nutritional guidance into the secondary school curriculum. Keywords: physical activity, body mass index, adolescents, secondary schools, Kaduna State.