Effects of sitting time associated with media consumption on physical activity patterns and daily energy expenditure of Saudi school students

Abstract

[Purpose] This study was performed to assess the effect of daily sitting time during media consumption on physical fitness, total energy expenditure (TEE), and body composition indices of Saudi school children. [Subjects and Methods] A total of 180 healthy Saudi school students (8–18 years) were included in this study. Sitting time, total energy expenditure, and levels of physical activity were evaluated with pre-validated internet based questionnaires. Body composition indices were evaluated using anthropometric analysis. [Results] Out of the studied participants, only 22.2% of students were physically inactive. Children with moderate and active physical scores demonstrated less sedentary behavior (TV viewing and computer usage), lower body composition values (BMI, WC, WHtR), and higher TEE than sedentary or mild activity level participants. Boys showed higher fitness scores and less sedentary behavior than girls. Media sitting time among the studied subjects correlated negatively with physical scores and positively with body composition. [Conclusion] The data presented here suggests that poor physical fitness, lower TEE, and longer sitting times differentially influence normal body composition indices among school children which may lead to overweight or obese individuals. Thus, decreasing sitting time during media consumption and enhancing physical activity may play a pivotal role in preventing obesity in young children.

Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior Relative to Body Mass Index among School Children in Saudi Arabia

“…Al-Agha et al concluded that children spending more than 2 hours of watching TV are associated with increased BMI [51]. A recent study done by Alghadir et al reported that children with moderate and active physical scores demonstrated less sedentary behavior (TV viewing and computer usage), lower body composition values, and higher total energy expenditure than sedentary or mild activity level participants [24]. Apart from health, sedentary behavior can have a profound impact on academics, motor skills and overall quality of life.…”

“…In children and teens, BMI is age-and sex-specific and is often referred to as BMI-for-age. The body mass index has also been found to be related to total percentage of body fat in both boys and girls which can be influenced by genetic predisposition and environmental factors [24].…”

Comparisons in childhood obesity and cardiometabolic risk factors among urban Saudi Arab adolescents in 2008 and 2013

“…Recent local studies highlight that several known risk factors for childhood obesity are particularly common in Saudi children. This includes high consumption of fatty foods and carbonated drinks in school and cafeterias (Alghadir et al ., ) as well as sedentary lifestyle secondary to media consumption (Alghadir et al ., ). The gender difference in physical activity confirms the previous finding of Al‐Sobaye et al .…”

A study on macronutrient self-selection after acute aerobic exercise in college females

“…A study showed that the longer young people sat down to watch TV or to play computer games, the greater the decrease in total energy consumption, whereas BMI and body fat increased to higher levels12 ) ; the study was conducted in 180 young students from Saudi Arabia (males and females). The same study showed that 67.5% of the highly obese patients included adults who performed little physical activity and worked in a sitting position on a sofa or a chair13 ) .…”