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Food habits and physical activity patterns among Kuwaiti male and female adolescents
Author(s) -
Zafar Tasleem Ara,
Nori Amani F,
AlSheikh Sara H
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.25.1_supplement.982.6
Subject(s) - overweight , socioeconomic status , life style , obesity , physical activity , demography , medicine , food habits , environmental health , screen time , consumption (sociology) , psychology , population , sociology , social science , physical medicine and rehabilitation
Kuwait is ranked as the number eight fattest country in the world by WHO with obesity in adolescent girls 46.8% and in boys 15%. No data on of the dietary habits and life style patterns of Kuwaiti adolescents exist. The objectives of the current study were to a) compare food habits and physical activity of adolescent boys and girls and b) investigate socioeconomic factors affecting their life style patterns. A cross‐sectional survey was conducted using a modified international Health Behavior in School Children (HBSC) questionnaire. 625 children (309 boys and 316 girls) of grades 9 and 10 from 12 public schools completed the questionnaire assessing family, dietary and physical activity status. Data was analyzed by SPSS. The consumption of vegetables, fruits, whole wheat bread and milk was low for both genders, girls reported lower consumption than boys (p<0.001). Chocolate and other sweet consumption was high for both genders, girls reported higher intake (p<0.001). Chocolate was consumed 58% and 44% more than once a day by girls vs. boys, respectively. Both genders watched TV 4 to 6 hours daily; girls were physically more inactive than boys (p<0.01). Both parents' occupational status was positively associated with hours of TV and computer use (p<0.05) but not with physical activity (p<0.05). In conclusion, Kuwaiti adolescents are adopting unhealthy dietary and physical activity patterns that lead to overweight and obesity.