Physical activity pattern and its relationship with overweight and obesity in saudi children

Abstract

Background Overweight and obesity among children and adolescents are emerging public health problems. Modifiable lifestyle factors such as physical inactivity and eating out are responsible for the increased prevalence of obesity and related health risks. Objective To examine physical activity level and weight status among Saudi children in relation to age and gender. Study design In a cross-sectional study, 200 apparently healthy Saudi children (118 boys and 82 girls), aged 5–15 years, were enrolled from the Pediatric clinics at King Abdulaziz University Hospital, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. To determine physical activity level, the International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form-A was used. Anthropometric measurements were taken for all participants. Results Central obesity was highly prevalent among adolescents as compared with a higher prevalence of general obesity in children. Physical activity level was significantly higher among adolescent boys than adolescent girls ( P <.05). Girls scored almost double the total metabolic equivalent scores. More boys were considered highly active (59% vs. 40%) in contrast with more girls with low physical activity (38% vs. 26%). Among girls, high physical activity score was higher in children than in adolescents (40% vs. 21%) and an increasing number of adolescents were of low physical activity than children (64% vs. 38%). The majority of the study population were spending more than 2 h per day in watching TV and playing electronic games, but a slightly higher number of children showed sedentary behavior than adolescents. Adolescent girls were significantly spending more time watching TV than adolescent boys ( P <.01). Significant inverse associations with most anthropometric measures and the time spent in watching TV and doing desk work were demonstrated in both genders. Conclusion This study reports significant influence, by age and gender, contributing to physical inactivity and weight status among Saudi children.

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 study, weight status did not predict meeting recommended amounts of MVPA, which was unexpected given the large body of evidence demonstrating the associations between obesity and physical activity [32]. However, our findings are still consistent with a recent study of children from five Omani provinces [33] and Saudi Arabia [34]. The underlying factors that might influence the lack of association between obesity and physical activity in the present study include the failure to account for dietary behaviors as well as the cross-sectional nature of the study design [32,35].…”

Evaluation of outcome of distal humerus fracture fixation by two-locked plates

“…In the present study, relatively younger HCWs (31)(32)(33)(34)(35)(36)(37)(38)(39)(40), and Master holders were more concerned about COVID-19. This might be explained by their lesser experience.…”

“…Combination of these cardiovascular risk factors will eventually terminate with an increased left ventricular stroke work and higher risks of arrhythmias, cardiac failure, and sudden death. Additionally, the prevalences of CHD and stroke increased parallel to the increased BMI values in another study (35), and risk of death from all causes including cancers increased throughout the range of moderate to severe excess weight in all age groups (36). The relationships between excess weight, increased BP, and higher plasma TG values were described in the metabolic syndrome, extensively (37), and clinical manifestations of the syndrome include obesity, hypertriglyceridemia, hyperbetalipoproteinemia, HT, insulin resistance, and proinflammatory and prothrombotic states (37).…”

Prevalence of Health Problems Targeted by the National School-Based Screening Program among Primary School Students in Saudi Arabia, 2019

“…The study concluded that Saudi school students did not meet the recommended level of physical activity [22]. This highlights the importance of engaging children in physical education and activity, given its role in reducing the prevalence of overweight and obesity [23].…”