The Association of Physical Activity, Body Mass Index and the Blood Pressure Levels among Urban Poor Youth in Accra, Ghana

Ernest K. Afrifa-Anane, Regional Institute for Population Studies (RIPS)
Samuel N. A. Codjoe, University of Ghana
Charles Agyemang, University of Amsterdam
Gbenga Ogedegbe, New York University (NYU)
Ama de-Graft Aikins, University of Ghana

While research indicates that adolescent physical inactivity and obesity predispose them to a higher risk of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) in later life, very few studies have looked at this group. Little attention has been given to the interrelationships of these risk factors among the youth especially in urban poor communities in Ghana, where poor lifestyle behaviors are increasing. Using the 2011 EDULINK Urban Health and Poverty data of three urban poor communities in Accra, we examine the levels and association of physical activity (PA), body mass index (BMI) and blood pressure (BP) of individuals by gender aged 15 to 24 years using multiple linear regression. We find the youth to be physically inactive, with 4% having high blood pressure (HBP). Youth with low PA had raised BP; same as those with higher BMI, especially among the females. Educating the youth about preventing HBP will improve their health and wellbeing.