STATISTICAL ANALYSIS ON THE ANTHROPOMETRIC MEASURES OF PRIMARY SCHOOL PUPILS

Abstract

This research was aimed at carrying out a statistical study on the anthropometric measures (Weight, Height, Age and Sex) of primary school pupils in Imo State using Owerri Municipal Council as a case study. Multiple linear regression was employed as the statistical technique. A population of twenty (20) registered primary schools were involved in the study area, and 50 pupils from primary five (5) and six (6) were randomly selected from five (5) randomly selected schools for the measurement, making a total of two hundred and fifty (250) pupils used for the study. The measurements of weight were recorded to the nearest 0.1kg. The heights of the pupils were measured with the help of calibrated meter rule to the nearest 0.1cm. The age and sex of the pupils were recorded for the study. The assumptions of the model were examined. The analysis showed that there is no multicollinearity, autocorrelation which agrees with the assumptions of multiple linear regression whereas heteroscedasticity exists in the data. The analysis revealed that there is significant relationship between weight and height, age, sex of primary school pupils. Further analysis based on the individual test shows that only height contributes positively on weight of primary school pupils. The coefficient of determination (R2), which indicates the proportion in Y that is explained by X’s turned out with a percentage of 51.6% showing that there is a strong relationship between the response variable and the explanatory variables. This result entails that 51.6% (percent) variation in the value of weight is explained by a change in our explanatory variables.