TITLE:
Coaching and Physical Activity for Overweight Children and Adolescents in Abidjan (Ivory Coast)
AUTHORS:
Kouassi Régine Hermione Assi Kaudjhis, Ettié Silvie Kouassi, Amandine Elodie Niangoran Assoh, Kouakou Firmin Kouassi, Odile Ake-Tano, Georges Tiahou, Atchibri Louise Anin
KEYWORDS:
Coaching, Physical Activity, Child and Adolescent, Excess Weight, Abidjan
JOURNAL NAME:
Food and Nutrition Sciences,
Vol.16 No.9,
September
28,
2025
ABSTRACT: Background and Objective: Regular physical activity is hampered by excess weight, even though it is one of the pillars of its treatment. Thus, we experimented with coaching that incorporated physical activity with children and adolescents who were predominantly obese. This study was therefore undertaken to identify the benefits of this coaching on the practice of physical activities in these children and adolescents. Methodology: This was a prospective study conducted from December 1, 2020 to April 30, 2023, with 111 children and adolescents monitored for excess weight at the Nutrition Department of the National Institute of Public Health in Abidjan. The coaching took place in six sessions and focused on fitness and a household activity freely chosen by them. An evaluation grid was used to collect the study data. Results: The respondents were of both sexes with a female predominance (58.56%). Their ages ranged from 6 to 19 years, with an average age of 11.6 years. At the end of the coaching program, the proportion of people participating in fitness activities (79.28%) had increased, as had participation in household activities (86.49%). In addition, there was a 50% reduction in screen time and a normalization of weight in 5.4% of participants. Conclusion: These results encourage the promotion of coaching in the management of excess weight in children and adolescents.