PERCEIVED EFFECT OF DIET AND EXERCISE IN THE TREATMENT OF OBESITY AMONG UNIVERSITY STUDENTS IN KOGI STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

Obesity is a prominent health problem in developed and developing world, and leads to metabolic diseases. Over the past years scientists have been investigating the role of diet and exercise to treat obesity through innumerable experimental or observational studies. The objective of this study is to determine the effects of diet and exercise in the treatment of obesity among university students in Kogi state. The study employed descriptive research design of survey type. The population of this study was three hundred (300) students from three universities in Kogi State. A self-developed structured questionnaire was used as instrument for data collection. Inferential statistics of t-test was used to test the formulated hypotheses. The study found that caloric restriction especially in combination with exercise is the most effective way to treat obesity. It is recommended among others for university students to limit their consumption of high-energy foods while boosting their consumption of high-fiber foods such as fruits and vegetables.