Objective:To explore the mediating effects of adiposity indices in the association between physical activity level and blood pressure in a Nigerian schoolchildren population.Materials and Methods:One thousand five hundred and seventeen schoolchildren (714 males and 803 females) from randomly selected primary schools participated. Physical activity level, sum of skinfold thickness at three sites, waist circumference, body mass index, and blood pressure were measured using standardised procedures. The statistical significance of the mediating effects of adiposity indices was determined using Sobel Test.Results:Some obesity indices mediated the association between physical activity level and systolic blood pressure [males: waist circumference (t = 5.31; p < 0.001), skinfold thickness (t = 3.80; p < 0.001), and waist circumference/height (t = 2.21; p < 0.001); females: body mass index (t = 8.03; p < 0.001), waist circumference (t = 7.80; p < 0.001), and skinfold thickness (t = 5.94; p < 0.001)]. Similarly, some obesity indices mediated the prediction of diastolic blood pressure in females [males: body mass index (t = 1.95; p = 0.05), waist circumference (t = 2.65; p = 0.01), and skinfold thickness (t = 1.97; p = 0.05); females blood pressure: body mass index (t = 6.49; p < 0.001), waist circumference (t = 6.29; p < 0.001), skinfold thickness (t = 2.31; p = 0.02), and waist circumference/height (t = 2.59; p = 0.01)].Conclusion:The obesity indices that mediate the association between physical activity level and blood pressure vary, and their mediating effects are graded. While waist circumference and skinfold thickness exert the greatest mediating effects on the association in males, body mass index and waist circumference do in females.

Purpose: Identifying factors related to low-back pain (LBP) can facilitate its management. However, information on how physical activity (PA) level, health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and anthropometric characteristics are related to LBP-associated health indices in individuals with chronic LBP (CLBP) is scarce. This study explored how PA level, HRQoL and anthropometric indices are related to CLBP-related disability in a Nigerian population. Methods: This cross-sectional study involved 100 individuals with CLBP who were receiving treatment in physiotherapy out-patient clinics of selected tertiary hospitals, and 95 apparently healthy individuals. PA level, disability level and HRQoL were measured using standardized procedures. Results: Disability level inversely correlated with physical component score (PCS) of HRQoL ([Formula: see text]; [Formula: see text]), mental component score (MCS) of HRQoL ([Formula: see text]; [Formula: see text]), pain intensity ([Formula: see text]; [Formula: see text]) and PA level ([Formula: see text]; [Formula: see text]), but positively correlated with duration of pain ([Formula: see text]; [Formula: see text]) among individuals with CLBP. PCS of HRQoL ([Formula: see text]; [Formula: see text]) solely accounted for 71% of the prediction of disability level. Conclusion: PA level and HRQoL decrease with increasing CLBP-related disability with the PCS of HRQoL being mostly affected. Individuals with CLBP may need to be motivated against their health problem, and be encouraged to participate in PA.

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