In South Africa a remarkable weight gain is found in black adolescent girls during mid-adolescence, which is not necessarily the case among boys (Kalk, 2001:577) . Anthropometry is one of the most basic methods for determining over-nutrition and malnutrition status. A considerable amount of research is indeed done on obesity, and quite an amount on growth stunting (OS), but few interventions exist for prevention and treatment of OS. The World Health Organization (WHO) has determined that approximately 230 million children world wide are growth stunted (OS) (WHO working group, 1986). Physical activity in children is affected by average or serious malnutrition and influences adolescents' body build and body composition (BC) because they are in a period of development. Hoffman et al. (2006), Mantsena et al. (2005) and Monyeki et al. (2005) have all found that OS children/adolescents are shorter in length and lighter in mass than adolescents that grow normally. But most OS adolescents have shown a higher skin fold-fat percentage as well as a higher body mass index (BMI). Intra-abdominal fat storage is also found in OS adolescents and children, which is a health risk. Cross sectional studies show that physical activity (p A) decrease with up to 50% during adolescence, which influences body composition. Research has indicated that a P A participation peak is reached between aged 13 and 14 years, when boys are more active than girls. What is less clear is how the pattern of adolescent obesity differs in terms of race, gender and age (Popkin & Udry, 1998). Firstly, the aim of this study was to determine what the nature of research is that has been undertaken regarding body composition (BC) of OS and malnourished adolescents in Africa and South America, by means of a literature study. The second aim was to determine which body composition variables best describe changes in BC in adolescents (13-18 years) after participation in a physical activity intervention. Thirdly, the aim was to determine which BC, relations and maturation differences are found between OS and non growth stunted (NOS) adolescents between ages 13 and 18 years. Finally, the aim was to establish whether the physical activity levels and physical activity patterns of adolescents (13 to 18 years) change congruent to age increase. The study was compiled by means of an availability sample by making use of two secondary black schools in Ikageng (Potchefstroom) in the North West Province. The availability sample comprised a control group and an experimental group of black learners each. The study was of a longitudinal study design nature which stretched from March 2004 to September 2006. Adolescents (N=309) in the North West Province (Potchefstroom, South Africa (158 boys, 211 girls) between ages 13 and 18 years were used in this study. All the learners were in grade 8 at the onset of the study 2004. The experimental group participated in a physical activity intervention programme for practically one hour, two days per week after school hours for twenty-three weeks in 2004 and in 2005 they practised three times per week for nineteen weeks (July school holiday excluded). Attendance percentage of the PA programme was noted according to attendance registers with the experimental group split into three categories, namely low (0%-30% attended), average (30%-60%) and high (60% and higher). The control group (N=87) attended no intervention program. BC, middle-to-hip ratio (MHR), body mass index (BMI), percentage body fat (% LV) and skin folds were measured for baseline and again after completion of the intervention programme. Maturation phase was determined by means of two gender specific questionnaires (Tanner Questionnaires). The Previous Physical Activity Recall (PDPAR), compiled by Trost et al. (1999), was used for the study to analyse the PA levels. Statistica (Statsoft Inc 9) and SAS (SAS Institute Inc, edition 8, Cary NC) computer processing packages were used to process the data collected. Descriptive statistics were used to represent BC components and participants. A Repeated measurements co-variance analysis (ANCOVA) (corrected for attendance percentage and gender) variance analysis (ANOVA) over time, with a Bonferroni post hoc analysis to establish how the different variables differ from each other over the various test period in months. The significance of differences found was set on p<0.05. Next the Mann-Whitney U test was applied to calculate the significant differences of certain variables between the GS and non-growth stunted (NGS) adolescents. The Chi-square test was also used to determine the categorical variables, namely differences in the distribution within the five Tanner phases, as well as the differences between the GS and NGS girls and boys separately, with regard to the distribution between the groups with a body fat percentage lower or higher than the median. The technique of multilevel modelling was used for analysing the change in PA data over time. The result gained from the literature clearly indicates that GS generally occurs in adolescents and children in developing countries. It was also found that physical activity is. beneficial to the adolescents in terms of body composition, especially for the boys. According to the body mass index (BM!) values, a small percentage of children are classified as overweight, whilst with methods such as the sum of skin folds calculation of skin fold fat percentage and %BF measured by means of air transfer pletismografie (ADP), a larger percentage of children was classified as "over fat". It has also been found that significant differences occurred between the mass, length, length-for-age-z-score (LOZ) , arm span, middle circumference, hip circumference and lean body mass of the GS (28 girls and 28 boys) and NGS (113 girls and 90 boys) groups. The results also indicated a difference in PA levels of boys in the experimental and control groups after participation in the P A programme. With increase in age and over time there was a decrease in weekend physical activity patterns in both groups (experimental and control) for both genders. The experimental group ended at higher PA level than that of the control group of boys over the 30.75 months period. Opposed to this the girls (152 and 59 subjects respectively) did indeed show significant differences during the week as well as during the weekend with the baseline measurements, whereas the experimental group initially showed higher PA levels. These differences were, however, not more significant during end measurements. Both groups of girls further showed a lower curve of PA than that of the boys. The experimental group of boys and girls, as well as the control groups displayed a decrease in PA over the 30.75 months period. With increase in age and over time, a decrease was observed in PA patterns in both groups for both genders, although the last two measurements showed a slight upward inclination, especially in the experimental group of boys. The results showed a difference in PA patterns in the boys in the experimental and control groups, which can be attributed to the PA intervention. From the literature overview the conclusion can be drawn that African countries and other developing countries, where food scarcity is more common, experience a larger extent of problems with GS. The occurrence of GS in South Africa is average. Hence it can be deduced that growth and development need to be taken into consideration when BC is determined in adolescents. Fat percentage is more sensitive measure of obesity than BMI following participation in a PA intervention programme in town community adolescents. Determining BF percentage by means of skin folds and air replacement pletismografie (ADP) is more accurate than BMI in this specific group of experimental subjects. From this study the conclusion can be drawn that differences occur between GS and NGS adolescents of both genders in certain BC and body proportion components, without a difference in sexual development. With regard to the girls in terms of PA levels, it had another effect as with the boys with the intervention. The experimental group of boys, after 3 years (of which they underwent a PA intervention for 2 years) showed a higher PA level than the control group of boys that did not participate in a PA intervention. From this it can be deduced that this intervention did indeed contribute to differences in PA of boys that participate in physical activity programmes in deprived environments, while strategies different from these will need to be developed for girls from these communities. / Thesis (Ph.D. (Human Movement Science))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2010.

Adolessente loop In hoe risiko om slagoffers van seksuele misbruik te word. Seksuele misbruik het In merkwaardige impak op adolessente. Tesame met die hoe eise wat die stormagtige adolessensieperiode aan In persoon stel is vroee intervensie veral noodsaaklik. Dit word geredelik aanvaar dat vroee intervensie ernstige versteurings in volwassensheid mag verhoed. Adolessente kom egter oor die algemeen nie vanself na vore vir die nodige hulpverlening nie. Die doel van die ondersoek was om ondersoek in te stel na die noodsaaklikheid van In bewusmakingsprogram vir adolessente rakende seksuele misbruik. Die doel was verder om aanbevelings aan die hand te doen vir die ontwerp van In effektiewe bewusmakingsprogram. Die navorsing het In gekombineerde kwantitatiewe en kwalitatiewe benadering gevolg. 214 adolessente en 10 onderwysers van twee hoerskole is by die ondersoek betrek. Albei groepe deelnemers het vraelyste voltooi. Adolessente het kwantitatiewe vraelyste voltooi terwyl onderwysers In kwalitatiewe skedule voltooi het. Uit laasgenoemde is verskeie temas ge'identifiseer en bespreek. Die studie was verkennend sowel as beskrywend van aard. Dit is vanuit die bevindings duidelik dat daar die noodsaaklikheid bestaan van In bewusmakingsprogram aan adolessente rakende seksuele misbruik. Aanbevelings rakende die inhoud en ontwerp van so In program is vanuit die studie gedoen. / Thesis (M.A. (MW))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2011.

The purpose of this study was to document, by means of a literature review and empirical research, the phenomenon of resilience among adolescents with learning difficulties (LD). My study was motivated by a gap in current literature. Although there are some South African studies that explore the personal antecedents of resilience in youth with LD, there were almost no studies explaining what interpersonal antecedents might contribute to resilience. The aim of the empirical study was to investigate the phenomenon of resilience among adolescent learners coping with LD. This was done by conducting phenomenological research with ten learners who have LD and attend a school for learners with special learning needs. The findings of the study are in accordance with previous studies that suggest that resilience is encouraged by dynamic processes that are both interpersonal and intrapersonal. This study makes a contribution to theory in that it suggests that resilience among adolescent learners with LD is also encouraged by their home environment and the positive relationship with siblings that might be brought on by parents treating all their children impartially. This has not been noted in previous studies. This study also raises questions about whether inclusion of all learners in mainstream schools are beneficial to learners with LD. Because my study identified interpersonal processes (unconditional acceptance, safe spaces, championship and pedagogical expertise) that promoted resilience among those participants who took part in my study, my study contributes to what was understood about the process of resilience in learners with LD and in so doing contributes to practice in that guidelines could be drafted for Life Orientation teachers based on the findings of this study. These guidelines can enable dedicated teachers to adapt their classroom environment so that a learner with LD can benefit. / Thesis (M.Ed.)--North-West University, Vaal Triangle Campus, 2009.

The purpose of this study was to document, by means of a literature review and empirical research, the phenomenon of resilience among adolescents with learning difficulties (LD). My study was motivated by a gap in current literature. Although there are some South African studies that explore the personal antecedents of resilience in youth with LD, there were almost no studies explaining what interpersonal antecedents might contribute to resilience. The aim of the empirical study was to investigate the phenomenon of resilience among adolescent learners coping with LD. This was done by conducting phenomenological research with ten learners who have LD and attend a school for learners with special learning needs. The findings of the study are in accordance with previous studies that suggest that resilience is encouraged by dynamic processes that are both interpersonal and intrapersonal. This study makes a contribution to theory in that it suggests that resilience among adolescent learners with LD is also encouraged by their home environment and the positive relationship with siblings that might be brought on by parents treating all their children impartially. This has not been noted in previous studies. This study also raises questions about whether inclusion of all learners in mainstream schools are beneficial to learners with LD. Because my study identified interpersonal processes (unconditional acceptance, safe spaces, championship and pedagogical expertise) that promoted resilience among those participants who took part in my study, my study contributes to what was understood about the process of resilience in learners with LD and in so doing contributes to practice in that guidelines could be drafted for Life Orientation teachers based on the findings of this study. These guidelines can enable dedicated teachers to adapt their classroom environment so that a learner with LD can benefit. / Thesis (M.Ed.)--North-West University, Vaal Triangle Campus, 2009.

Adventure based experiential learning programmes (AEPs) are certainly nothing new (Louw et al., 2007). Its inception can be traced back as far as Plato after which it was revised as a result of the contributions of Kurt Hahn, the German educationalist and organisations such as Outward Bound (Hattie et al., 1997). The positive contribution to personal- and life effectiveness as a result of participation in AEPs and which adventure enthusiasts have laid claim to, has been in existence since the start of Outward Bound in 1942 (Neill, 2000:3). Witt and Crompton (1996) further emphasised value of AEPs by stating that they are internationally recognised as a scientific method that assist in developing the life effectiveness of adolescents and adults. One of the most critical challenges for adventure based experiential learning organisations in the 21st century is the development of applicable AEPs for less privileged groups, according to Neill and Flory (2000a). High school pupils in this day and age pose much bigger challenges to educational institutions. They are more diverse in terms of age, race, socio-economic status, culture, sex, stability, attitudes and values (Upcraft, 1993). To adhere to the above mentioned challenges Kimball and Bacon (1993) recommend AEPs that take place in nature as this serves as a therapy for the gaps in the current educational- and community systems. The purpose of this study was to obtain scientific information regarding the contribution of an adventure based experiential learning program (AEP1) to the improvement of the life- and personal effectiveness of black high school pupils, specifically in light of the current transformation- and empowerment processes. Black high school students were specifically used in this study because no results regarding their participation in AEPs have been found in South Africa. The results of this study will deliver important scientific information regarding this topic, especially in light of the current focus on transformation and empowerment. The test subject consisted of an experimental- (20 boys and 20 girls) and a control group (20 boys and 20 girls) aged between twelve and seventeen years with an average age of 14.5. The experimental group participated in a five day AEP in the Vredefort Dome in the North West province. The study is conducted in the form of a quantitative pre-test post-test design (Thomas & Nelson, 1996:321-322). The questionnaires were administered before, directly after and six months after the initial evaluation to determine the immediate and long term effect thereof. To measure life effectiveness, use was made of the Life Effectiveness Questionnaire (LEQ-H) (Neill et al., 1997:6) with a Cronbach Alpha-value of between 0.78 and 0.93 to measure the development of life effectiveness of the group. The instrument focuses on psychological and behavioural aspects that are key components of life effectiveness. The LEQ-H consists of 24 questions and assesses the following dimensions: achievement motivation, active initiative, emotional control, intellectual flexibility, self confidence, social competence, task leadership and time management. The results yielded an overall intra-group effect size of d= 0.03 in the short term and a negative effect size of d=-0.03 in the long term. The inter-group results, however, yielded an overall small effect size of d=0.35 in the short term and a medium effect size of d=0.49 in the long term. The overall results obtained indicate that an AEP had a significant intergroup short- and long term effect on the life effectiveness of black high school pupils but it did not have a significant intra-group effect. The hypothesis regarding the positive, immediate and long term effect of the AEP on the life effectiveness of black high school pupils was thus rejected. Albeit that the life effectiveness of black high school pupils did not necessarily improve as a result of the AEP, it is important to note that the socio-economic environment as well as the family structures of the participants seems to have had an impact on the outcome of the study. Furthermore, the fact that the questionnaires were not in their home language, could also have impacted on the results. To measure personal effectiveness, use was made of the Review of Personal effectiveness and Locus of Control (ROPELOC) with a Cronbach Alpha-value of between 0.79 and 0.93 (Richards et al., 2002:1-4). The ROPELOC consists of 45 questions and is made up of six major components with sub-constructs namely personal abilities and beliefs (self-confidence, self-efficacy, stress management, open thinking), social abilities (social effectiveness, cooperative teamwork, leadership ability), organisational skills (time management, quality seeking, coping with change) active. The difference can be determined with regard to the main components as well as the underlying subcomponents. The results yielded an overall small intra-group effect size of d=0.28 in the short term and a small effect size of d=0.42 in the long term. The inter-group results yielded an overall medium effect size of d=0.54 in the short term and a large effect size of d=0.87 in the long term. The overall results obtained indicate that an AEP had a significant short- and long term effect on the personal effectiveness of black high school pupils. The hypothesis regarding the positive, immediate and long term effect of the AEP on the personal effectiveness of black high school pupils was thus accepted. It is thus recommended that AEPs be utilized to improve personal effectiveness of black high school pupils in South Africa. / Thesis (Ph.D. (Recreation Science))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2009.

Adolescence proves to be one of the most vulnerable development stages in the life of humans and therefore dietary assessment of this group is important, but complex. This is due to rapid growth during puberty and the development of new eating patterns that influence dietary intake. Adequate dietary intake in this age group is crucial, since adverse effects such as iron deficiency anemia, inadequate growth and dental caries can occur. Furthermore, dietary imbalance is a significant risk factor that can lay the groundwork for developing preventable complications in late adolescence and adult life such as non-communicable chronic diseases including obesity and diabetes mellitus type II and certain cancers, all leading causes of morbidity and mortality. Given the vulnerability of adolescents in terms of dietary intake, understanding their dietary intake is crucial. Dietary assessment of adolescents is influenced by social, physiological and psychological changes making accurate measurement of this group difficult. Hence, it is of fundamental importance to find a golden standard in terms of a dietary assessment method to use in this group. Several international studies investigated validity and reproducibility of the dietary intake of adolescents, measured with different dietary assessment methods. However, in South Africa only three validity and reproducibility studies have been published and none of them focused exclusively on adolescents. Since the validity of the results of dietary assessment methods of international studies cannot be extrapolated to South African black adolescents, this study emanated from the need to investigate whether multiple 24-hour recalls are valid and reproducible when used to assess the dietary intakes of black adolescents in a convenience sample of grade eight learners from a high school in a township in the North West Province. The study was nested in the multidisciplinary "Physical, Activity in the Young" (PLAY) study. Firstly, the optimal number of 24-hour recalls was determined by calculation of reproducibility coefficients for energy, selected nutrients and food groups. Results showed that four repeated 24-hour recalls provided the optimal reproducibility for black peri-urban South African adolescents. Secondly, the search for a reference method to compare energy intake against energy expenditure led to an investigation into basal metabolic rate equations and physical activity factors with the intention of estimating the energy expenditure. Validity of reported energy intake assessed by multiple 24-hour recalls and estimated energy expenditure was tested using the Pearson correlation coefficient and the dependent t-test. The Pearson correlation test revealed low associations between energy intake and energy expenditure for boys (0.32) and girls (0.17), while the dependent t-test of the energy intake between the different measured occasions showed little difference, which could be explained by the high within participant variation and lower variation between the different participants. The low correlation coefficients showed that there was no association between reported energy intake and mean estimated energy expenditure; thus also no agreement. As a result, multiple 24-hour recalls measured over two years with only five 24-hour recalls did not give a valid measurement of the energy intake of black peri-urban adolescents. Lastly, the ratio of reported energy intake over energy expenditure was evaluated against the energy cut-off points, specifically calculated for age and ethnic group. It indicated that 85% of the participants underreported their energy intake. These results could have been influenced by the estimated basal metabolic rate equations that could have estimated the basal metabolic rate of this group incorrectly or could be due to the inability of the group to recall their physical activity levels correctly. Therefore it is recommended that further validity studies regarding dietary intake need to be performed on adolescents. It is suggested that energy expenditure as a reference method should be measured by using a calorimeter or the doubly labeled water method and then compared with the reported energy intake. Analysing different biochemical determinants of nutritional intake could also be used as an objective reference method to assess the validity of dietary data obtained from questionnaires. / Thesis (Ph.D. (Dietetics)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2009.

South African adolescents are at high risk of becoming victims of sexual abuse. However, research and experience by practising social workers show that adolescents are reluctant to report sexual abuse immediately. This could be due to the lack recognised guidelines available by which to report abuse and receive the necessary help. The purpose of the research was to investigate the reasons why adolescents fail to report sexual abuse in order to establish relevant guidelines. This would also determine the role of the forensic social worker in the report of sexual abuse by adolescent victims. The research followed a combined quantitative and qualitative approach. 220 adolescents from two high schools and six Welkom social workers were involved in the investigation. Both groups of participants completed questionnaires while the social workers were also involved in a focus group. Forensic social workers work is a new field of specialisation in the social work profession. There is a serious misconception about the role of the forensic social worker not only among other practising social workers, but also among the general public and adolescents in specific. The forensic social worker can play an important role in establishing guidelines for the report of sexual abuse by adolescent victims. The findings clearly showed that adolescents do not report sexual abuse within the family. The abused adolescent becomes a victim as South Africa does not yet have definite guidelines available for the report of sexual abuse. The study found that the forensic social worker has a definite role to play in the report of sexual abuse by adolescents. / Thesis (M.A. (MW Forensic))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2009.

In South Africa a remarkable weight gain is found in black adolescent girls during mid-adolescence, which is not necessarily the case among boys (Kalk, 2001:577) . Anthropometry is one of the most basic methods for determining over-nutrition and malnutrition status. A considerable amount of research is indeed done on obesity, and quite an amount on growth stunting (OS), but few interventions exist for prevention and treatment of OS. The World Health Organization (WHO) has determined that approximately 230 million children world wide are growth stunted (OS) (WHO working group, 1986). Physical activity in children is affected by average or serious malnutrition and influences adolescents' body build and body composition (BC) because they are in a period of development. Hoffman et al. (2006), Mantsena et al. (2005) and Monyeki et al. (2005) have all found that OS children/adolescents are shorter in length and lighter in mass than adolescents that grow normally. But most OS adolescents have shown a higher skin fold-fat percentage as well as a higher body mass index (BMI). Intra-abdominal fat storage is also found in OS adolescents and children, which is a health risk. Cross sectional studies show that physical activity (p A) decrease with up to 50% during adolescence, which influences body composition. Research has indicated that a P A participation peak is reached between aged 13 and 14 years, when boys are more active than girls. What is less clear is how the pattern of adolescent obesity differs in terms of race, gender and age (Popkin & Udry, 1998). Firstly, the aim of this study was to determine what the nature of research is that has been undertaken regarding body composition (BC) of OS and malnourished adolescents in Africa and South America, by means of a literature study. The second aim was to determine which body composition variables best describe changes in BC in adolescents (13-18 years) after participation in a physical activity intervention. Thirdly, the aim was to determine which BC, relations and maturation differences are found between OS and non growth stunted (NOS) adolescents between ages 13 and 18 years. Finally, the aim was to establish whether the physical activity levels and physical activity patterns of adolescents (13 to 18 years) change congruent to age increase. The study was compiled by means of an availability sample by making use of two secondary black schools in Ikageng (Potchefstroom) in the North West Province. The availability sample comprised a control group and an experimental group of black learners each. The study was of a longitudinal study design nature which stretched from March 2004 to September 2006. Adolescents (N=309) in the North West Province (Potchefstroom, South Africa (158 boys, 211 girls) between ages 13 and 18 years were used in this study. All the learners were in grade 8 at the onset of the study 2004. The experimental group participated in a physical activity intervention programme for practically one hour, two days per week after school hours for twenty-three weeks in 2004 and in 2005 they practised three times per week for nineteen weeks (July school holiday excluded). Attendance percentage of the PA programme was noted according to attendance registers with the experimental group split into three categories, namely low (0%-30% attended), average (30%-60%) and high (60% and higher). The control group (N=87) attended no intervention program. BC, middle-to-hip ratio (MHR), body mass index (BMI), percentage body fat (% LV) and skin folds were measured for baseline and again after completion of the intervention programme. Maturation phase was determined by means of two gender specific questionnaires (Tanner Questionnaires). The Previous Physical Activity Recall (PDPAR), compiled by Trost et al. (1999), was used for the study to analyse the PA levels. Statistica (Statsoft Inc 9) and SAS (SAS Institute Inc, edition 8, Cary NC) computer processing packages were used to process the data collected. Descriptive statistics were used to represent BC components and participants. A Repeated measurements co-variance analysis (ANCOVA) (corrected for attendance percentage and gender) variance analysis (ANOVA) over time, with a Bonferroni post hoc analysis to establish how the different variables differ from each other over the various test period in months. The significance of differences found was set on p<0.05. Next the Mann-Whitney U test was applied to calculate the significant differences of certain variables between the GS and non-growth stunted (NGS) adolescents. The Chi-square test was also used to determine the categorical variables, namely differences in the distribution within the five Tanner phases, as well as the differences between the GS and NGS girls and boys separately, with regard to the distribution between the groups with a body fat percentage lower or higher than the median. The technique of multilevel modelling was used for analysing the change in PA data over time. The result gained from the literature clearly indicates that GS generally occurs in adolescents and children in developing countries. It was also found that physical activity is. beneficial to the adolescents in terms of body composition, especially for the boys. According to the body mass index (BM!) values, a small percentage of children are classified as overweight, whilst with methods such as the sum of skin folds calculation of skin fold fat percentage and %BF measured by means of air transfer pletismografie (ADP), a larger percentage of children was classified as "over fat". It has also been found that significant differences occurred between the mass, length, length-for-age-z-score (LOZ) , arm span, middle circumference, hip circumference and lean body mass of the GS (28 girls and 28 boys) and NGS (113 girls and 90 boys) groups. The results also indicated a difference in PA levels of boys in the experimental and control groups after participation in the P A programme. With increase in age and over time there was a decrease in weekend physical activity patterns in both groups (experimental and control) for both genders. The experimental group ended at higher PA level than that of the control group of boys over the 30.75 months period. Opposed to this the girls (152 and 59 subjects respectively) did indeed show significant differences during the week as well as during the weekend with the baseline measurements, whereas the experimental group initially showed higher PA levels. These differences were, however, not more significant during end measurements. Both groups of girls further showed a lower curve of PA than that of the boys. The experimental group of boys and girls, as well as the control groups displayed a decrease in PA over the 30.75 months period. With increase in age and over time, a decrease was observed in PA patterns in both groups for both genders, although the last two measurements showed a slight upward inclination, especially in the experimental group of boys. The results showed a difference in PA patterns in the boys in the experimental and control groups, which can be attributed to the PA intervention. From the literature overview the conclusion can be drawn that African countries and other developing countries, where food scarcity is more common, experience a larger extent of problems with GS. The occurrence of GS in South Africa is average. Hence it can be deduced that growth and development need to be taken into consideration when BC is determined in adolescents. Fat percentage is more sensitive measure of obesity than BMI following participation in a PA intervention programme in town community adolescents. Determining BF percentage by means of skin folds and air replacement pletismografie (ADP) is more accurate than BMI in this specific group of experimental subjects. From this study the conclusion can be drawn that differences occur between GS and NGS adolescents of both genders in certain BC and body proportion components, without a difference in sexual development. With regard to the girls in terms of PA levels, it had another effect as with the boys with the intervention. The experimental group of boys, after 3 years (of which they underwent a PA intervention for 2 years) showed a higher PA level than the control group of boys that did not participate in a PA intervention. From this it can be deduced that this intervention did indeed contribute to differences in PA of boys that participate in physical activity programmes in deprived environments, while strategies different from these will need to be developed for girls from these communities. / Thesis (Ph.D. (Human Movement Science))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2010.

Adolessente loop In hoe risiko om slagoffers van seksuele misbruik te word. Seksuele misbruik het In merkwaardige impak op adolessente. Tesame met die hoe eise wat die stormagtige adolessensieperiode aan In persoon stel is vroee intervensie veral noodsaaklik. Dit word geredelik aanvaar dat vroee intervensie ernstige versteurings in volwassensheid mag verhoed. Adolessente kom egter oor die algemeen nie vanself na vore vir die nodige hulpverlening nie. Die doel van die ondersoek was om ondersoek in te stel na die noodsaaklikheid van In bewusmakingsprogram vir adolessente rakende seksuele misbruik. Die doel was verder om aanbevelings aan die hand te doen vir die ontwerp van In effektiewe bewusmakingsprogram. Die navorsing het In gekombineerde kwantitatiewe en kwalitatiewe benadering gevolg. 214 adolessente en 10 onderwysers van twee hoerskole is by die ondersoek betrek. Albei groepe deelnemers het vraelyste voltooi. Adolessente het kwantitatiewe vraelyste voltooi terwyl onderwysers In kwalitatiewe skedule voltooi het. Uit laasgenoemde is verskeie temas ge'identifiseer en bespreek. Die studie was verkennend sowel as beskrywend van aard. Dit is vanuit die bevindings duidelik dat daar die noodsaaklikheid bestaan van In bewusmakingsprogram aan adolessente rakende seksuele misbruik. Aanbevelings rakende die inhoud en ontwerp van so In program is vanuit die studie gedoen. / Thesis (M.A. (MW))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2011.

Physical activity (PA) is likely to constitute an important aspect of health-related behaviour in growing children. However, the knowledge on levels and patterns of PA in children is limited, due to the difficulty of precisely measuring this complex behaviour in normal daily living. Information on variables that significantly contributes to the variability in PA patterns is warranted as it may inform strategies for promoting physically active lifestyles in school-age youth. The overall purpose of the present studies was to increase the knowledge about the use of accelerometry when assessing PA in children, and examine sources of variability in objectively assessed PA behaviour in children. The study samples included 1954 nine- and 15-year-old children from four geographical locations in Europe (Norway, Denmark, Estonia and Portugal), and additionally 16 Swedish seven-year-old boys and girls. PA was assessed by the MTI accelerometer during free-living conditions, including both weekdays and weekend days. A part of the PA assessment was conducted using different time sampling intervals (epochs). Predictions of estimates of daily energy expenditure from accelerometer output were calculated using previously published equations. Potential correlates of PA behaviour were assessed by self-report. The main findings were; a) the epoch setting had a significant effect when interpreting time spent at higher intensities of PA in young children, b) predicted energy expenditure differed substantially between equations, c) between- and within-day differences in overall levels of PA, time spent at moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity and time spent sedentary differed between age, gender and geographical location, d) outdoor play and sports participation were differentially associated with objectively measured PA in 9- and 15-year-old children. It is concluded that the sporadic nature of children’s physical activity require very short epoch settings for detecting high intensity PA, and that different published equations for estimations of daily energy expenditure cannot be used interchangeably. The interpretations of average energy expenditure from available equations should be made with caution. Based on a large sample of children of different ages, weekend days and leisure time during weekdays seem appropriate targets when promoting PA in order to increase the proportion of children achieving current recommendations on health enhancing PA. Further, significant correlates of PA behaviour dependent on age group are presented, which should be considered when planning interventions for promoting PA in school-age youth.