Obesity among female university students in the United Arab Emirates

Amine, E K; Samy, Mohamed

doi:10.1177/146642409611600206

Cited by 32 publications

(58 citation statements)

References 6 publications

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“…25,26 Certainly, this scenario appears likely in cardiac failure where aerobic training decreases both circulating norepinephrine and NT-proBNP levels. 27 Any such associations are potentially important for UAE nationals since, as in our report, earlier studies suggest that physical activity levels are particularly low in this population 28,29 and may be linked to high levels of obesity and hypertension. 28,30 Regarding our second observation, there is little information, to our awareness, relating circulating levels of the cardiac natriuretic peptides to ethnicity.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 61%

“…27 Any such associations are potentially important for UAE nationals since, as in our report, earlier studies suggest that physical activity levels are particularly low in this population 28,29 and may be linked to high levels of obesity and hypertension. 28,30 Regarding our second observation, there is little information, to our awareness, relating circulating levels of the cardiac natriuretic peptides to ethnicity. In a study of coronary atherosclerosis (as determined by electron beam computed tomography), Abdullah et al 17,31 reported that plasma NT-proBNP levels were slightly, but significantly, lower in African Americans than Caucasians (median 30.6 versus 24.5 pg/ml, Po0.004, n ¼ 1275 and 1394, respectively).…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 61%

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Plasma N terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide levels and its determinants in a multi-ethnic population

et al. 2007

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This study documents the determinants and plasma levels of N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) among hypertensive and normotensive subjects in a multi-ethnic population in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). We obtained demographic, anthropometric and clinical data, together with fasting NT-proBNP and biochemical indices from 128 hypertensive patients and 138 normotensive subjects matched for age, gender and ethnicity. Plasma NT-proBNP levels were significantly (Po0.001), and several-fold higher among hypertensives (median 5.92, inter quartile range (IQR): 1.79-18.48 pmol/l) than normotensives (median 1.78, IQR: 0.59-4.32 pmol/l) in the total study population, and the same was true for the ethnic groups separately. Similarly, plasma levels of glucose, blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine, but not insulin, were significantly (Po0.05) higher among hypertensives than normotensives. For all subjects combined, log NT-proBNP correlated positively and significantly with age (Po0.01), log glucose (Po0.05), systolic blood pressure (SBP, Po0.001), log BUN (Po0.001) and log creatinine (Po0.001). Multivariate regression analysis showed that NT-proBNP levels were independently and positively correlated with SBP, age, gender, log BUN, Emirati and South East Asian ethnic groups and inversely associated with current exercise. In conclusion, we found circulating levels of NT-proBNP to be significantly increased in hypertensive versus normotensive subjects in the UAE and independently related to SBP, age, gender, indices of renal function and possibly exercise. Our results further suggest a possible modulating effect of ethnicity on NT-proBNP levels.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 61%

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 61%

Plasma N terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide levels and its determinants in a multi-ethnic population

et al. 2007

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“…This can explain the high difference between the two studies. We also reported a high prevalence of underweight (13%) especially among young students which confirmed previous results (Musaiger andRadwan, 1995: Amine andSamy, 1996). Musaiger and Radwan reported that 20% of female students were underweight using BMI ≤ 20 as a criterion for underweight which is different from our criterion (BMI ≤ 18.5).…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 58%

“…The rates reported in this study are much higher than those reported in Europe but they are close to those reported in Arabian Gulf countries. In the same population (UAEU female students), overweight and obesity were found to be 19% and 9.8% respectively (Musaiger and Radwan, 1995), and in another study Amine and Samy (1996) reported that 10.7% and 34.5% were considered as overweight and obese. Results of obesity reported in the second study are higher than our results.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Evaluation of nutritional status of United Arab Emirates University female students

Kerkadi¹

2003

Emir. J. Food Agric

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Abstract:The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of underweight, overweight, and obesity, the widespread diseases and the food consumption patterns among UAE university female students. Height and weight were measured in a sample of 400 female students aged 18-25 years. A self administrated questionnaire addressing food habits, food consumption, sports practice and disease states was completed by each student. Body Mass Index (BMI) was calculated for each subject. WHO classification was used for defining underweight (BMI<18.5 kg/m 2 ), overweight (BMI=25-29.9 kg/m 2 ) and obesity (BMI>30 kg/m 2 ). The results indicate that the prevalence of underweight, overweight and obesity were 13 %, 19.4% and 6.7% respectively. The widespread self reported diseases in descending order of magnitude were anemia (19%), food allergy (4.8%), hypertension (2.8%) and diabetes (1%). 62% of the students did not practice any kind of sports. Food habits results showed that 44.8% of the respondents did not take breakfast, 34.9% took fast food at least once a day, and 52,3% took only 1 to 2 meals /day. Results of food consumption showed that 54.4% of the students consumed a diet low in cereals, 51.5% consumed a diet low in vegetables, 49.5% consumed a diet low in fruits, and 46.7 % of the students consumed a diet high in fat. Results also noted a statistically significant association between consumption of cereals and fruits and BMI classes. Therefore, there is a necessity to develop a nutrition education program for UAE students in order to help them change their food habits and avoid the negative health consequences of being overweight or underweight.

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Physical activity and levels of inactivity in adolescent females ages 11–16 years in the United Arab Emirates

Henry¹,

Lightowler²,

Al-Hourani³

2004

American J Hum Biol

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The purpose of this study was to investigate patterns of physical activity and levels of inactivity in adolescent females in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). A total of 58 adolescent females, age 11-16 years, were recruited from two female-only governmental schools in Abu-Dhabi. Subjects were divided into two groups: 11-13 years (n = 22) and 14-16 years (n = 36). Physical activity patterns were determined from a 3-day activity diary. Total energy expenditure (TEE) was estimated using a factorial approach. The amount of physical activity was expressed as the physical activity level (PAL) and the activity-related energy expenditure (AEE). The number of hours spent watching television was estimated from the activity diaries. There were no significant differences in the energy expenditure parameters between age groups or between schooldays and weekends. PAL was low in both age groups. Television was the predominant leisure time pursuit. The number of hours per day spent watching television (median and interquartile range) was 2.5 (2.3-3.1) in 11-13 years and 2.5 (2.3-2.8) in 14-16 years. Television-watching was significantly higher during the weekend than schooldays: 11-13 years (P = 0.006) and 14-16 years (P < 0.001). In conclusion, the amount of physical activity undertaken by adolescent females in the UAE was very low. Cultural and weather restrictions and social change of the community in the UAE are not conducive to physical activity and play a major role in levels of physical inactivity. This may explain, in part, the rise in the incidence of obesity in this population.

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Obesity among female university students in the United Arab Emirates

Cited by 32 publications

References 6 publications

Plasma N terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide levels and its determinants in a multi-ethnic population

Plasma N terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide levels and its determinants in a multi-ethnic population

Evaluation of nutritional status of United Arab Emirates University female students

Physical activity and levels of inactivity in adolescent females ages 11–16 years in the United Arab Emirates

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