Family Influence on Children's Nutrition and Physical Activity Patterns in Oman

Abstract

The objective of this study is to expand the understanding of the family influence on children's nutrition and physical activity patterns in Oman. Design and methods: A cross-sectional research design was used in this study. We recruited 204 dyads (a mother with a child) conveniently. Research data were collected in public cycle one schools, nongovernmental community centers, and home visits from five provinces in Oman. Study measures included a general information survey, anthropometric measurements, electronic children and family nutrition and physical activity questionnaires, and a single-day dietary recall for children. Univariate, bivariate, and multivariate analyses were used. Results: Children's nutrition intake was significantly associated with parental education level, family income, and family nutrition and physical activity patterns, while children's physical activity patterns were significantly associated with maternal BMI and parental education level. Conclusions: Children's nutrition and physical activity patterns are associated with maternal BMI, family's sociodemographic characteristics, and family's nutrition and physical activity pattern. Practice implications: Family is a key element in shaping and influencing children's lifestyle-related behaviors. School-health programs that actively involve the families hold promise in promoting children's nutrition and physical activity pattern. Future research should be directed toward understanding the moderating and mediating factors.

Physical Activity Levels of 1053 Omani 4th Grade Children: The Importance of Gender and Sport Team Participation in Achieving 60 Minutes of Daily Moderate-to-Vigorous Physical Activity

“…In our sample, 13.29% of boys and 16.94% of girls were overweight, while 18.06% of boys and 13.48% of girls were obese. This is in contrast to a recent review reporting the mean rates of overweight and obesity from three studies in Saudi, UAE, and Kuwaiti 6-to-10-year-olds, which found that 14.2% of boys and 25.0% of girls were overweight or obese [29], as well as a previous study of Omani children, reporting that 17.4% of the children were classified as overweight or obese [12]. The previous studies in GCC countries have reported a lack of physical activity and a growing prevalence of highly sedentary behaviors as critical lifestyle behaviors increasing the risk of childhood obesity [30,31]; however, limited research investigating this relationship has included Omani children.…”

“…To date, there have been few studies examining the prevalence of physical activity and sedentary behaviors in Omani youth [10][11][12]. Most previous studies examining associations between lifestyle behaviors, physical activity, and sedentary behaviors in the youth of Oman and other GCC countries have used subjective measures such as self-report questionnaires that are less valid than objective measures such as accelerometry to assess accurate levels of physical activity [13].…”

Lifestyle-Related Determinants of Obesity Among Omani Children

“… 37 A strong positive relationship ( P = 0.001) between maternal BMI and childhood obesity has been reported in Oman. 38 Children who did not inherit the obesity-associated genes may practice unhealthy nutritional behaviours yet have a normal body weight.…”

Preschoolers’ and Mothers Dietary Practices and Compliance with the 24-h Movement Guidelines: Results of Oman’s National Nutrition Survey

“…Even though univariate regression in our study did not show a relationship between child obesity and mother's employment status, the literature on the subject suggests a possible relationship between these two variables. Studies from the EMR found that mother's unemployment had a negative impact on children's sleep score in KSA and was associated with increased consumption of fast-food meals among middle age children in Oman [12,36]. While a systematic review from low-income countries found no association between maternal employment and obesity, analyses from European countries concluded that mother employment predicted unhealthy dietary, lifestyle patterns and increased BMI among young children [37][38][39].…”