Adel A Alhusaini1, Ganeswara Rao Melam1, Syamala Buragadda2. 1. Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh 11433, Saudi Arabia. 2. Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh 11495, Saudi Arabia.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The current study was done to assess the cross-cultural difference in physical activity and sedentary behavior among girls from culturally, environmentally, and geographically diverse countries residing in Saudi Arabia. METHODS: This was a comparative cross-sectional study conducted among expatriate girls (N = 275), aged 9-16 years. Participants were from India (n = 65), Pakistan (n = 88), Egypt (n = 50), Sudan (n = 49), and other nationals (n = 23). They were randomly selected from different schools in Riyadh and their Body Mass Index (BMI) and screen time was assessed. Physical activity (PA) and leisure-time activity was assessed using Physical Activity Questionnaire for Older Children (PAQ-C) and the Godin-Shephard Leisure-Time Exercise Questionnaire (GSLTPAQ) respectively. RESULTS: Out of 275, 65.8% were active and 34.2% were insufficiently active as per the GSLTPAQ, and half of them were moderately active and only 22.2% were extremely active as per PAQ-C. No statistical significant differences in their BMI status, screen time, or the levels of PA among expatriate girls. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that the expatriate female school children in Saudi Arabia demonstrated a similar pattern in their BMI, sedentary time spent, and PA levels.
BACKGROUND: The current study was done to assess the cross-cultural difference in physical activity and sedentary behavior among girls from culturally, environmentally, and geographically diverse countries residing in Saudi Arabia. METHODS: This was a comparative cross-sectional study conducted among expatriate girls (N = 275), aged 9-16 years. Participants were from India (n = 65), Pakistan (n = 88), Egypt (n = 50), Sudan (n = 49), and other nationals (n = 23). They were randomly selected from different schools in Riyadh and their Body Mass Index (BMI) and screen time was assessed. Physical activity (PA) and leisure-time activity was assessed using Physical Activity Questionnaire for Older Children (PAQ-C) and the Godin-Shephard Leisure-Time Exercise Questionnaire (GSLTPAQ) respectively. RESULTS: Out of 275, 65.8% were active and 34.2% were insufficiently active as per the GSLTPAQ, and half of them were moderately active and only 22.2% were extremely active as per PAQ-C. No statistical significant differences in their BMI status, screen time, or the levels of PA among expatriate girls. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that the expatriate female school children in Saudi Arabia demonstrated a similar pattern in their BMI, sedentary time spent, and PA levels.
Entities:
Keywords:
body mass index; cross cultural; expatriate school children; physical inactivity; school girls
Authors: Aqeela Zahra; Muhammad Shehzad Hassan; Jae-Hyun Park; Sehar-Un-Nisa Hassan; Nuzhat Parveen Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2022-04-01 Impact factor: 3.390