One of the most important reasons for the development of countries and this is what most developed countries emulate, as it makes it a national goal, especially attention to physical activities related to health, so it is necessary to focus on how to build society, especially those of middle ages, as they represent a large segment of the country economically, healthily, physically, socially and educationally; Attention to the health and fitness of the child, especially in schools, and as many studies have proven that the high levels of lipids above normal levels, which is expressed by the term (obesity) weaken the performance of many physical fitness tests and skills related to health.

Obesity is one of the serious diseases prevalent in the world because of its adverse effects if not treated and identified on its causes. Many may look at obesity as a simple matter, and some may consider it just an unacceptable view or distortion of the beauty of our bodies. Few may realize its danger, yet they stand idly by, unable to stop it.

Recent years have seen a significant rise in obesity rates among adults and children globally, including preschool children. This rise was not limited to developing countries but also to most developed countries. The World Health Organization reports that about 1.6 billion adults (15 years and older) are overweight, and at least 400 million adults are obese. The WHO predicts that the number of overweight adults will rise to 2.3 billion, and the number of obese people will exceed 700 million by 2025. In 2015, 20 million children under the age of five were overweight. Studies of the Health Survey in England indicate that between 2015 and 2020, obesity rates for male children aged 11 to 15 increased from 13.9% to 20.6%, and among females, from 15.5% to 18.3% [14].

Once considered problems confined to high-income countries, overweight and obesity are increasing significantly in low- and middle-income countries, particularly in urban areas [15].

Obesity is mainly caused by a combination of factors, most notably a lack of nutritional awareness, overeating, choosing unhealthy foods, and lack of physical activity. When we consume more calories than the body burns, the excess is stored as fat in different areas of the body. Although obesity is a health challenge for adults, it is a more complex problem for middle school students. While adults can stick to diets and exercise programs, students find it more challenging to do so due to multiple factors, including a lack of nutritional awareness, peer influence, and dependence on junk food. Studies confirm that an imbalance between calorie intake and physical activity is one of the leading causes of overweight and obesity.

It is concluded from the above that obesity and physical inactivity are prevalent among middle school students, and obesity is associated to some extent with low physical activity at this age. Therefore, it is necessary to take all possible means to combat obesity and physical inactivity in students, as this is important in avoiding health problems associated with these two health risk factors. To achieve this, obesity levels must first be identified to facilitate the development of appropriate solutions and timely treatment.

Obesity is a significant factor leading to many diseases directly related to it. Society's lack of awareness of current obesity levels may gradually exacerbate them by increasing food consumption and reducing physical activity. To give more importance to the physical education lesson in schools and activate it, which has become neglected in most of them, this lesson, if adequately activated by providing the necessary staff, playgrounds, tools, and equipment, will contribute significantly to reducing the high levels of obesity. It will also give greater motivation to practice sports activities on a regular basis, which helps to prepare outstanding players for the sports community, especially since the age between 13 and 14 years is the first selection stage for some sports. This, in turn, will contribute to the advancement of sports in our country, in addition to the emergence of a healthy generation, which will bring economic benefits to the country. Based on the above, the research problem lies in the lack of studies that show the levels of obesity in middle school students and its impact on the performance of specific physical abilities.

Hence, it is important to research the levels of obesity and some physical abilities among students between the ages of 13 and 14 in Baghdad Governorate, Baghdad Directorate of Education. This research also aims to provide a scientific guide to the level of Iraqi students compared to the rest of the world and to develop a standard similar to those followed in other countries.

Research Objectives

• Identifying obesity according to body mass index among middle school students aged (13-14) years

• Identify the physical abilities of middle school students aged (13-14) years

• Identify the contribution of the level of obesity to the performance of some physical abilities among middle school students aged (13-14) years

Research Methodology

The researcher relied on the descriptive approach as the most appropriate approach to achieve the objectives of the research and answer its questions [7]. This approach allows for systematic data collection and analysis, which helps to understand the studied phenomenon and identify the relationships between different variables [1,2].

Research community and sample

The research community was determined from the Directorate of Education of Baghdad [1,2] in the center of Baghdad city (Al-Markaz) for the academic year (2023-2024), amounting to (400) students, and the research sample was randomly selected, numbering (100) students representing 25% of the community of origin. Sources of information collection, devices, and tools used:

• Scientific references (Arab and foreign)

• Direct observation

• Field tests and measurements

• Databases and electronic resources via the Internet

The researcher used the following tools and devices to collect the data:

• Digital medical weighing scale (1 number)

• Restometer device for accurate measurement of length (1 number)

• Floor mat for measurements (2)

• Electronic stopwatch with 1/100th of a second (Diamond) (2)

• Manual electronic calculator (1 number)

• Electronic computer for data analysis (2 counts)

• Statistical programs for data analysis

• A team assisting in data collection

• Forms for recording information

Field Research Procedures

Measurements used in the research

Measuring Length: The length of the object is accurately measured to the nearest centimeter using a length-measuring device (atmometer). The person to be measured should stand upright without shoes, making sure that the feet are in contact with the floor and the back is straight. To ensure the accuracy of the measurement, gently press on the top of the examinee's head using the measuring plate, especially if the hair is thick, to ensure that the head is straight and the hair does not affect the measurement.

Weight Measurement [4]

Body weight is accurately measured to the nearest 100 grams (0.1 kg) using a calibrated digital scale. A digital scale is preferred to ensure measurement accuracy. The measurement should be done with a person barefoot and wearing as little clothes as possible. It is important to ensure that the scale is placed on a hard and flat surface and avoid placing it on soft surfaces such as carpets or foam mattresses in order to ensure accurate measurement.

Body Mass Index (BMI) calculation and weight assessment

Body mass index (BMI) is a measure used to assess a person's weight relative to height, calculated by dividing the weight in kilograms by the square of height in meters.

Mathematical formula

Body mass index (BMI) = weight (kg) / (height (m)) ²

Body mass index (BMI) =          Weight (kg)

                        Length (m) × length (m)

Tests used in the research

• First: Test the strength characteristic of speed for the two legs (three partridges for the most significant distance for each man separately) [12]

• Second: Kinetic speed test [13]

• Third: 20m running test and starting from 30m (transition speed test) [13]

Exploratory Experiment

The researcher conducted an exploratory experiment on a sample of 25 students from outside the original sample of the study on Sunday, March 3, 2024, at 12 noon. This experiment aimed to achieve several objectives: Estimate the time required to carry out tests. Identify the potential difficulties that the researcher may face while conducting the tests. Evaluate the ability of the assistant team to use the devices and tools correctly. Distribute tasks among team members [9]. Ensure the safety and efficiency of the devices used [6]. 

Main experience

The tests and measurements were conducted on the research sample consisting of 100 students during the period from Sunday, April 14, 2024, to Thursday, April 18, 2024, in the Sports and Scouting Activity Hall of the Baghdad Directorate of Education / Al-Karkh Al-Oula. All tests and measurements were performed at 12 noon daily.

Statistical means

The following statistical systems were used:

• Microsoft Excel was used to organize and analyze the collected data. Data was entered into the program, and then its functions were used to sort the data, calculate the body mass index (BMI), calculate the percentage of fat, and calculate the standard scores sequentially and orderly

• Ready-made statistical bag (SPSS). Ver25) to obtain the following:

• Computational media [10]

• Standard deviations [3]

Presentation, analysis, and discussion of results

View and analyze the results of the BMI's contribution to some football physical abilities: To analyze the effect of BMI on specific physical abilities, the researcher used appropriate statistical methods. The following tables present the results of these analyses, showing the contribution of BMI to each physical ability measured.

Table (2) shows the simple correlation coefficient, contribution percentage, standard error of estimation, value of (F), and the level of statistical significance of the relationship between body mass index and transition velocity among the study sample.

Table 1: shows the descriptive statistics and torsion coefficient of the study variables.

Table 2: Relationship between body mass index and transition velocity 

(*) moral statistically at the level of significance ≥ (0.05)

Table 3: Relationship between body mass index and motor speed 

(*) moral statistically at the level of significance ≥ (0.05)

Table 4: Relationship between body mass index and the speed characteristic force of the two men 

Table 2 shows a strong correlation between BMI and translational velocity. The simple correlation coefficient was 0.887, the contribution ratio was 0.787, and the standard error of the estimate was 0.176. The significant value of (F) of 23.453, with a degree of freedom of 99 and a significance level of 0.000, confirms that the body mass index (independent variable) significantly affects the transitional velocity of the study subjects.

Table (3) shows the simple correlation coefficient, contribution percentage, standard error of estimation, value of (F), and the level of statistical significance of the relationship between body mass index and motor speed among the study sample.

The table above shows a strong correlation between BMI and kinetic velocity. The simple correlation coefficient was 0.904, the contribution ratio was 0.817, and the standard error of estimation was 0.233. The significant value of (F) of 17.444, with a degree of freedom of 99 and a significance level of 0.000, confirms that the body mass index (independent variable) significantly affects the motor speed of the study subject.

Table (4) shows the simple correlation coefficient, contribution percentage, standard error of estimation, value of (F), and the level of statistical significance of the relationship between body mass index and the speed characteristic force of the two men in the study sample.

The table above shows a strong correlation between BMI and the velocity-characteristic strength of the two men. The simple correlation coefficient was 0.855, the contribution ratio was 0.731, and the standard error of the estimation was 0.287. The significant value of (F) of 20.550, with a degree of freedom of 99 and a significance level of 0.000, confirms that the body mass index (independent variable) significantly affects the velocity-characteristic strength of the two legs in the study subject

Discuss the results of the effect of BMI on some physical abilities

The above tables show a significant correlation between BMI, which reflects the level of obesity, and the measured physical abilities (transition speed, motor speed, and velocity of the muscles of the legs). The percentages presented in the tables indicate that the level of obesity in students was within the acceptable average. This is due to a possible balance between energy consumed and energy intake, which keeps body weight within normal limits. This balance can result from a healthy diet and parental monitoring of a student's weight.

This conclusion is consistent with (Khalid, 2001) "on the importance of proper nutrition and its positive impact on sports performance. Admittedly, an athlete's diet directly affects their health, weight, body composition, and energy sources. Balanced nutrition improves physical performance and increases endurance".

In addition, the researcher believes that the sample contains a percentage of students of moderate weight, and this comes as a result of attention to regular and proper nutrition, as well as attention paid to physical activities closely related to health according to educational sports programs in which parents and students participate, as well as physical education teachers, although this sample did not receive attention by school administrations and physical education teachers, and this is what exposes it to be graded to a high level if they are not paid attention to and immersed in physical activities appropriate to their ages. Their nutrition should also be proper and regular.

This was confirmed (Hazza & others 2010) that there is an urgent need to change the unhealthy lifestyle and encourage the physical development of children and adolescents in the Gulf Arab States, and there is still no program focusing on health-promoting physical activities involving students, parents as well as relevant teachers in these countries.

There are also many students who go to school without eating breakfast, which makes them hungry after a while, forcing them to eat fast food and sweets. These foods all contain a lot of calories and then turn those calories into fat that accumulates inside the child's body, especially children who do not practice physical activities.

This is what he mentions (Osama, 2000) that the practice of physical activities is a practical and important element in controlling weight and preventing obesity in childhood and adolescence and get rid of it in the future, so it is important to prevent children from obesity before it occurs by urging them to practice regular physical activities, and healthy balanced food, as it is challenging to get rid of obesity in children if left for a late period of life.

• The research sample showed a significant improvement in physical abilities, and this improvement had a significant impact on their body mass index

• A significant negative correlation was found between obesity and physical abilities among middle school students, as a high body mass index is associated with a decrease in the level of physical abilities

• The study revealed a significant inverse correlation between BMI and physical abilities, which means that an increase in BMI is associated with a decrease in the level of physical abilities of students

 Recommendations

• Develop and implement joint programs between the Ministries of Education and Health aimed at promoting regular physical activities related to health, with a focus on providing supportive environments and encouraging the active participation of students at various levels of education.

• Increasing interest in the physical education lesson by school administrations and subject teachers, with a focus on developing comprehensive and diverse physical education curricula that meet the needs of all students, including students with high levels of obesity, and providing them with special programs

• Conducting longitudinal and comprehensive studies at the level of Iraq, including both sexes and different age groups, to assess the reality of obesity, physical activity, and fitness and identify the factors affecting them, with the aim of developing effective strategies and interventions to combat obesity and promote physical health.

   

Activating the role of the Ministry of Education in providing healthy and balanced meals for students in schools, with a focus on reducing high-calorie and saturated-fat foods and providing healthy and nutritious alternatives

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