Atika Khalaf1, Albert Westergren1, Vanja Berggren2, Örjan Ekblom3, Hazzaa M Al-Hazzaa4. 1. 1The PRO-CARE Group,School of Health and Society,Kristianstad University,Elmetorpsvägen 15,SE-291 88 Kristianstad,Sweden. 2. 2Department of Health Sciences, Medical Faculty,Lund University,Lund,Sweden. 3. 3Åstrand Laboratory of Work Physiology,The Swedish School of Sport and Health Sciences,Stockholm,Sweden. 4. 4Paediatric Exercise Physiology Research Laboratory,College of Education and Obesity Research,King Saud University,Riyadh,Saudi Arabia.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Research about the prevalence of underweight and overweight/obesity in the Saudi Arabian female population is limited. The aim of the present study was to examine the dietary habits and the prevalence of underweight and overweight/obesity and associated factors among female university students. DESIGN: A cross-sectional study. SETTING: A university centre for female students in south-western Saudi Arabia. SUBJECTS: The study involved 663 randomly selected female university students who self-reported their physical activities, nutritional habits and socio-economic factors. Multiple linear and logistic regression analyses were used to identify factors associated with the students' BMI, dietary variables, underweight and overweight/obesity. RESULTS: The majority of the university females were normal weight (56.9%), but a high prevalence of underweight (19.2%) and overweight/obesity (23.8%) occurred. Social factors significantly associated with BMI were the presence of obese parents and siblings as well as physical activity levels, marital status, number of sisters, father's level of education and more frequent intake of French fries/potato chips (>3 times/week). Several variables were found to correlate with dietary habits, underweight and overweight/obesity. Of special interest is the association between the number of siblings and the participants' BMI and dietary intake in both negative and positive ways. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this research have implications for health promotion and prevention of malnutrition among college-aged females. Health-care providers and policy makers need to involve the whole family when promoting females' physical activity. The study serves as an evidence-based background for planning and implementation of interventions targeting improvement of highly educated populations' nutritional habits.
OBJECTIVE: Research about the prevalence of underweight and overweight/obesity in the Saudi Arabian female population is limited. The aim of the present study was to examine the dietary habits and the prevalence of underweight and overweight/obesity and associated factors among female university students. DESIGN: A cross-sectional study. SETTING: A university centre for female students in south-western Saudi Arabia. SUBJECTS: The study involved 663 randomly selected female university students who self-reported their physical activities, nutritional habits and socio-economic factors. Multiple linear and logistic regression analyses were used to identify factors associated with the students' BMI, dietary variables, underweight and overweight/obesity. RESULTS: The majority of the university females were normal weight (56.9%), but a high prevalence of underweight (19.2%) and overweight/obesity (23.8%) occurred. Social factors significantly associated with BMI were the presence of obese parents and siblings as well as physical activity levels, marital status, number of sisters, father's level of education and more frequent intake of French fries/potato chips (>3 times/week). Several variables were found to correlate with dietary habits, underweight and overweight/obesity. Of special interest is the association between the number of siblings and the participants' BMI and dietary intake in both negative and positive ways. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this research have implications for health promotion and prevention of malnutrition among college-aged females. Health-care providers and policy makers need to involve the whole family when promoting females' physical activity. The study serves as an evidence-based background for planning and implementation of interventions targeting improvement of highly educated populations' nutritional habits.
Authors: Manan A Alhakbany; Hana A Alzamil; Wajude A Alabdullatif; Shahad N Aldekhyyel; Munirah N Alsuhaibani; Hazzaa M Al-Hazzaa Journal: J Epidemiol Glob Health Date: 2018-12
Authors: Victoria Salem; Noara AlHusseini; Habeeb Ibrahim Abdul Razack; Anastasia Naoum; Omar T Sims; Saleh A Alqahtani Journal: Obes Rev Date: 2022-03-26 Impact factor: 10.867