Relationship between lifestyle factors and overweight and obesity among Saudis females’ adolescents in eastern province

Abstract EN

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of lifestyle factors on body weight among female adolescents in Saudi Arabia.

methodology : this cross-sectional study was carried out on 598 participants.

validated Arab Teens lifestyle study (ATLS) questionnaire was used for measuring lifestyle of participants.

data related to lifestyle factors, e.g., physical activity, metabolic equivalent rate (MET), sedentary behavior ; food consumption ; and anthropometrics indices (i.e.

height, weight, and BMI) were collected.

ANOVA and logistic regression analysis were used for testing the correlations between BMI and lifestyle factors.

results showed that 20.6% and 19.4% of females were suffered from overweight and obesity, respectively.

a significant differences (P<0.05) in anthropometric indices, lifestyle behaviors, and food consumption patterns were observed among females.

these factors comprised BMI, weight, food consumption pattern (from French fries/potato chips, vegetables, fruits, and cake/donuts) and total physical activity (MET-min/week).

overweight / obesity was significantly associated with the consumption of cake/donuts (odds ratio [OR] for >5 days/weeks =2.261; 95% confidence interval [CI]=1.361-3.757), French fries/potato chips (OR for 3-4 days/weeks=1.936; 95% CI=.206-3.110) and fruit (OR for 3-4 days/weeks=1.669; 95% CI=1.032-2.697).

conclusion : a significant positive association between BMI categories and factors such as eating French fries / potato chips and cakes / donuts were observed among adolescent females.