Vol. 7, Issue 2, Part A (2025)

The present study aimed to assess and compare the Body Mass Index (BMI) of sports and non-sports secondary school students and to examine any significant differences based on their residential background (rural vs. urban). A descriptive comparative research design was employed, and a total of 400 students (200 sports persons and 200 non-sports persons) were selected using stratified random sampling from both rural and urban schools. BMI was calculated using standard procedures and categorized into Thin, Healthy, Overweight, and Obese based on WHO criteria. The findings revealed that a higher percentage of sports persons (70%) had a healthy BMI compared to non-sports persons (65%). The proportion of overweight students was slightly lower in the sports group (20%) than in the non-sports group (25%). Notably, no students were classified as obese in either group. The analysis of rural and urban differences in BMI showed no statistically significant difference (t = 0.9), indicating that residential background had minimal impact on BMI in this population. The study concludes that regular participation in sports positively influences body weight and promotes a healthy BMI among adolescents. It emphasizes the importance of integrating physical activity into school routines to enhance students’ physical well-being, regardless of their geographical location.