Publications (24)14.89 Total impact
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Dataset: Ann Thoracic Med Paper - 2012
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Article: Prevalence of short sleep duration and its association with obesity among adolescents 15- to 19-year olds: A cross-sectional study from three major cities in Saudi Arabia.
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ABSTRACT: Adequate sleep has been considered important for the adolescent's health and well being. On the other hand, self-imposed sleep curtailment is now recognized as a potentially important and novel risk factor for obesity. The present study aimed to assess the prevalence of short sleep duration and its association with obesity among Saudi adolescents. This is a school-based cross-sectional study with self-reported sleep questionnaires. It was conducted during the years 2009/2010 in three cities in Saudi Arabia; Al-Khobar, Jeddah, and Riyadh. Participants were 2868 secondary-school males (1379) and females (1389) aged 15 to 19 years, randomly selected using a multistage stratified sampling technique. Measurements included weight, height, waist circumference, BMI, and sleeping duration. Logistic regression analysis while adjusted for age, gender, and location was used to examine the associations between sleep duration and obesity measures. The mean (SD) of sleep duration was 7.2 (1.6) hours/day with no significant differences between males and females. About 31% of the participants obtain less than 7 hours of sleep per day, while approximately 50% of the sample gets less than 8 hours of daily sleep. Two-way ANCOVA results while controlling for the effect of age revealed a significant gender by school-type interaction (P<0.001). In addition, adequate sleep duration increased the odds of having normal weight (adjusted odds ratios = 1.28, 95% CI = 1.08-1.50, P = 0.003). The present study observed a high prevalence of short sleep duration among Saudi adolescents 15- to 19-year olds and that short sleep duration was significantly associated with increased risk of overweight and obesity. Future interventions should investigate whether adopting a healthy lifestyle by adolescents with short sleep duration would improve their sleeping habits or not.Annals of thoracic medicine. 07/2012; 7(3):133-9. -
Article: Lifestyle factors associated with overweight and obesity among Saudi adolescents.
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ABSTRACT: A better understanding of the relationships between obesity and lifestyle factors is necessary for effective prevention and management of obesity in youth. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the associations between obesity measures and several lifestyle factors, including physical activity, sedentary behaviors and dietary habits among Saudi adolescents aged 14-19 years. This was a school-based cross-sectional study that was conducted in three cities in Saudi Arabia (Al-Khobar, Jeddah and Riyadh). The participants were 2906 secondary school males (1400) and females (1506) aged 14-19 years, who were randomly selected using a multistage stratified cluster sampling technique. Measurements included weight, height, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, waist/height ratio (WHtR), screen time (television viewing, video games and computer use), physical activity (determined using a validated questionnaire), and dietary habits (intake frequency per week). Logistic regression was used to examine the associations between obesity and lifestyle factors. Compared with non-obese, obese males and females were significantly less active, especially in terms of vigorous activity, had less favorable dietary habits (e.g., lower intake of breakfast, fruits and milk), but had lower intake of sugar-sweetened drinks and sweets/chocolates. Logistic regression analysis showed that overweight/obesity (based on BMI categories) or abdominal obesity (based on WHtR categories) were significantly and inversely associated with vigorous physical activity levels (aOR for high level = 0.69, 95% CI 0.41-0.92 for BMI and 0.63, 95% CI 0.45-0.89 for WHtR) and frequency of breakfast (aOR for < 3 days/week = 1.44; 95% CI 1.20-1.71 for BMI and 1.47; 95% CI 1.22-1.76 for WHtR) and vegetable (aOR for < 3 days/week = 1.29; 95% CI 1.03-1.59 for WHtR) intakes, and consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages (aOR for < 3 days/week = 1.32; 95% CI 1.08-1.62 for BMI and 1.42; 95% CI 1.16-1.75 for WHtR). The present study identified several lifestyle factors associated with obesity that may represent valid targets for the prevention and management of obesity among Saudi adolescents. Primary prevention of obesity by promoting active lifestyles and healthy diets should be a national public health priority.BMC Public Health 05/2012; 12:354. · 2.00 Impact Factor -
Article: Change in nutrition and lifestyle in the eastern mediterranean region: health impact.
Journal of nutrition and metabolism 01/2012; 2012:436762. -
Article: Prevalence and risk factors associated with nutrition-related noncommunicable diseases in the Eastern Mediterranean region.
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ABSTRACT: This paper reviews the current situation concerning nutrition-related noncommunicable diseases (N-NCDs) and the risk factors associated with these diseases in the Eastern Mediterranean region (EMR). A systematic literature review of studies and reports published between January 1, 1990 and September 15, 2011 was conducted using the PubMed and Google Scholar databases. Cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, obesity, cancer, and osteoporosis have become the main causes of morbidity and mortality, especially with progressive aging of the population. The estimated mortality rate due to cardiovascular disease and diabetes ranged from 179.8 to 765.2 per 100,000 population, with the highest rates in poor countries. The prevalence of metabolic syndrome was very high, ranging from 19% to 45%. The prevalence of overweight and obesity (body mass index ≥25 kg/m(2)) has reached an alarming level in most countries of the region, ranging from 25% to 82%, with a higher prevalence among women. The estimated mortality rate for cancer ranged from 61.9 to 151 per 100,000 population. Osteoporosis has become a critical problem, particularly among women. Several risk factors may be contributing to the high prevalence of N-NCDs in EMR, including nutrition transition, low intake of fruit and vegetables, demographic transition, urbanization, physical inactivity, hypertension, tobacco smoking, stunting of growth of preschool children, and lack of nutrition and health awareness. Intervention programs to prevent and control N-NCDs are urgently needed, with special focus on promotion of healthy eating and physical activity.International Journal of General Medicine 01/2012; 5:199-217. -
Article: Physical activity, sedentary behaviors and dietary habits among Saudi adolescents relative to age, gender and region.
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ABSTRACT: Few lifestyle factors have been simultaneously studied and reported for Saudi adolescents. Therefore, the purpose of the present study was to report on the prevalence of physical activity, sedentary behaviors and dietary habits among Saudi adolescents and to examine the interrelationships among these factors using representative samples drawn from three major cities in Saudi Arabia. This school-based cross-sectional study was conducted during the years 2009-2010 in three cities: Al-Khobar, Jeddah and Riyadh. The participants were 2908 secondary-school males (1401) and females (1507) aged 14-19 years, randomly selected using a multistage stratified sampling technique. Measurements included weight, height, sedentary behaviors (TV viewing, playing video games and computer use), physical activity using a validated questionnaire and dietary habits. A very high proportion (84% for males and 91.2% for females) of Saudi adolescents spent more than 2 hours on screen time daily and almost half of the males and three-quarters of the females did not meet daily physical activity guidelines. The majority of adolescents did not have a daily intake of breakfast, fruit, vegetables and milk. Females were significantly (p < 0.05) more sedentary, much less physically active, especially with vigorous physical activity, and there were fewer days per week when they consumed breakfast, fruit, milk and diary products, sugar-sweetened drinks, fast foods and energy drinks than did males. However, the females' intake of French fries and potato chips, cakes and donuts, and candy and chocolate was significantly (p < 0.05) higher than the males'. Screen time was significantly (p < 0.05) correlated inversely with the intake of breakfast, vegetables and fruit. Physical activity had a significant (p < 0.05) positive relationship with fruit and vegetable intake but not with sedentary behaviors. The high prevalence of sedentary behaviors, physical inactivity and unhealthy dietary habits among Saudi adolescents is a major public health concern. There is an urgent need for national policy promoting active living and healthy eating and reducing sedentary behaviors among children and adolescents in Saudi Arabia.International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity 12/2011; 8:140. · 3.83 Impact Factor -
Article: Convergent validity of the Arab Teens Lifestyle Study (ATLS) physical activity questionnaire.
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ABSTRACT: The Arab Teens Lifestyle Study (ATLS) is a multicenter project for assessing the lifestyle habits of Arab adolescents. This study reports on the convergent validity of the physical activity questionnaire used in ATLS against an electronic pedometer. Participants were 39 males and 36 females randomly selected from secondary schools, with a mean age of 16.1 ± 1.1 years. ATLS self-reported questionnaire was validated against the electronic pedometer for three consecutive weekdays. Mean steps counts were 6,866 ± 3,854 steps/day with no significant gender difference observed. Questionnaire results showed no significant gender differences in time spent on total or moderate-intensity activities. However, males spent significantly more time than females on vigorous-intensity activity. The correlation of steps counts with total time spent on all activities by the questionnaire was 0.369. Relationship of steps counts was higher with vigorous-intensity (r = 0.338) than with moderate-intensity activity (r = 0.265). Pedometer steps counts showed higher correlations with time spent on walking (r = 0.350) and jogging (r = 0.383) than with the time spent on other activities. Active participants, based on pedometer assessment, were also most active by the questionnaire. It appears that ATLS questionnaire is a valid instrument for assessing habitual physical activity among Arab adolescents.International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 09/2011; 8(9):3810-20. · 1.61 Impact Factor -
Article: Strategy to combat obesity and to promote physical activity in Arab countries
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ABSTRACT: Abdulrahman O Musaiger1, Hazzaa M Al Hazzaa2, Aayed Al-Qahtani3, Jalila Elati4, Jasem Ramadan5, Nebal A AboulElla6, Najat Mokhtar7, Hashem A Kilani81Arab Center for Nutrition, Bahrain; 2,3King Saud University, Saudi Arabia, 4National Institute of Nutrition, Tunisia; 5University of Kuwait, Kuwait; 6National Nutrition Institute, Egypt; 7Ibn Tofail University, Morocco; 8Sultan Qaboos University, OmanAbstract: Obesity has become a major public health problem in the Arab countries, creating a health and economic burden on these countries’ government services. There is an urgent need to develop a strategy for prevention and control of obesity. The third Arab Conference on Obesity and Physical Activity was held in Bahrain in January 2010, and proposed the Strategy to Combat Obesity and Promote Physical Activity in Arab Countries. This strategy provides useful guidelines for each Arab country to prepare its own strategy or plan of action to prevent and control obesity. The strategy focused on expected outcomes, objectives, indicators to measure the objectives, and action needs for 9 target areas: child-care centers for preschool children, schools, primary health care, secondary care, food companies, food preparation institutes, media, public benefit organizations, and the workplace. Follow-up and future developments of this strategy were also included.Keywords: obesity, physical activity, strategy, Arab countriesDiabetes, Metabolic Syndrome and Obesity : Targets and Therapy. 01/2011; -
Article: Strategy to combat obesity and to promote physical activity in Arab countries.
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ABSTRACT: Obesity has become a major public health problem in the Arab countries, creating a health and economic burden on these countries' government services. There is an urgent need to develop a strategy for prevention and control of obesity. The third Arab Conference on Obesity and Physical Activity was held in Bahrain in January 2010, and proposed the Strategy to Combat Obesity and Promote Physical Activity in Arab Countries. This strategy provides useful guidelines for each Arab country to prepare its own strategy or plan of action to prevent and control obesity. The strategy focused on expected outcomes, objectives, indicators to measure the objectives, and action needs for 9 target areas: child-care centers for preschool children, schools, primary health care, secondary care, food companies, food preparation institutes, media, public benefit organizations, and the workplace. Follow-up and future developments of this strategy were also included.Diabetes, Metabolic Syndrome and Obesity: Targets and Therapy 01/2011; 4:89-97. -
Article: Arab Teens Lifestyle Study (ATLS): objectives, design, methodology and implications.
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ABSTRACT: There is a lack of comparable data on physical activity, sedentary behavior, and dietary habits among Arab adolescents, which limits our understanding and interpretation of the relationship between obesity and lifestyle parameters. Therefore, we initiated the Arab Teens Lifestyle Study (ATLS). The ATLS is a multicenter collaborative project for assessing lifestyle habits of Arab adolescents. The objectives of the ATLS project were to investigate the prevalence rates for overweight and obesity, physical activity, sedentary activity and dietary habits among Arab adolescents, and to examine the interrelationships between these lifestyle variables. This paper reports on the objectives, design, methodology, and implications of the ATLS. The ATLS is a school-based cross-sectional study involving 9182 randomly selected secondary-school students (14-19 years) from major Arab cities, using a multistage stratified sampling technique. The participating Arab cities included Riyadh, Jeddah, and Al-Khobar (Saudi Arabia), Bahrain, Dubai (United Arab Emirates), Kuwait, Amman (Jordan), Mosel (Iraq), Muscat (Oman), Tunisia (Tunisia) and Kenitra (Morocco). Measured variables included anthropometric measurements, physical activity, sedentary behavior, sleep duration, and dietary habits. The ATLS project will provide a unique opportunity to collect and analyze important lifestyle information from Arab adolescents using standardized procedures. This is the first time a collaborative Arab project will simultaneously assess broad lifestyle variables in a large sample of adolescents from numerous urbanized Arab regions. This joint research project will supply us with comprehensive and recent data on physical activity/inactivity and eating habits of Arab adolescents relative to obesity. Such invaluable lifestyle-related data are crucial for developing public health policies and regional strategies for health promotion and disease prevention.Diabetes, Metabolic Syndrome and Obesity: Targets and Therapy 01/2011; 4:417-26. -
Article: Diabetes, Metabolic Syndrome and Obesity: Targets and Therapy Dovepress Arab Teens Lifestyle Study (ATLS): objectives, design, methodology and implications
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ABSTRACT: Background: There is a lack of comparable data on physical activity, sedentary behavior, and dietary habits among Arab adolescents, which limits our understanding and interpretation of the relationship between obesity and lifestyle parameters. Therefore, we initiated the Arab Teens Lifestyle Study (ATLS). The ATLS is a multicenter collaborative project for assessing lifestyle habits of Arab adolescents. The objectives of the ATLS project were to investigate the prevalence rates for overweight and obesity, physical activity, sedentary activity and dietary habits among Arab adolescents, and to examine the interrelationships between these lifestyle variables. This paper reports on the objectives, design, methodology, and implications of the ATLS. Design/Methods: The ATLS is a school-based cross-sectional study involving 9182 randomly selected secondary-school students (14–19 years) from major Arab cities, using a multistage stratified sampling technique. The participating Arab cities included Riyadh, Jeddah, and Al- Khobar (Saudi Arabia), Bahrain, Dubai (United Arab Emirates), Kuwait, Amman (Jordan), Mosel (Iraq), Muscat (Oman), Tunisia (Tunisia) and Kenitra (Morocco). Measured variables included anthropometric measurements, physical activity, sedentary behavior, sleep duration, and dietary habits. Discussion: The ATLS project will provide a unique opportunity to collect and analyze important lifestyle information from Arab adolescents using standardized procedures. This is the first time a collaborative Arab project will simultaneously assess broad lifestyle variables in a large sample of adolescents from numerous urbanized Arab regions. This joint research project will supply us with comprehensive and recent data on physical activity/inactivity and eating habits of Arab adolescents relative to obesity. Such invaluable lifestyle-related data are crucial for developing public health policies and regional strategies for health promotion and disease prevention.Diabetes, Metabolic Syndrome and Obesity: Targets and Therapy 01/2011; 4:417-426. -
Article: Diabetes, Metabolic Syndrome and Obesity: Targets and Therapy Dovepress Strategy to combat obesity and to promote physical activity in Arab countries
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ABSTRACT: Obesity has become a major public health problem in the Arab countries, creating a health and economic burden on these countries' government services. There is an urgent need to develop a strategy for prevention and control of obesity. The third Arab Conference on Obe-sity and Physical Activity was held in Bahrain in January 2010, and proposed the Strategy to Combat Obesity and Promote Physical Activity in Arab Countries. This strategy provides useful guidelines for each Arab country to prepare its own strategy or plan of action to prevent and control obesity. The strategy focused on expected outcomes, objectives, indicators to measure the objectives, and action needs for 9 target areas: child-care centers for preschool children, schools, primary health care, secondary care, food companies, food preparation institutes, media, public benefit organizations, and the workplace. Follow-up and future developments of this strategy were also included.Diabetes, Metabolic Syndrome and Obesity: Targets and Therapy 01/2011; 4:89-97. -
Article: Physical inactivity in Saudi Arabia. An under served public health issue.
Saudi medical journal 11/2010; 31(11):1278-9; author reply 1279-80. · 0.52 Impact Factor -
Article: Physical activity patterns and eating habits of adolescents living in major Arab cities. The Arab Teens Lifestyle Study.
Saudi medical journal 02/2010; 31(2):210-1. · 0.52 Impact Factor -
Article: Prevalence and trends in obesity among school boys in Central Saudi Arabia between 1988 and 2005.
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ABSTRACT: To determine the trends in body fatness and obesity among Saudi primary schoolboys using the data from 2 cross-sectional studies conducted in 1988 and 2005. Two sets of data were analyzed. The first set (n=1082) was conducted in 1988 and the second (n=702) set was conducted in 2005. Both studies used multistage random samples involving primary-school boys aged 6-14 years from Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Measurements included weight (Wt), height (Ht), biacromial (BA) and bi-iliac (BI) widths, triceps (T), subscapular (S) skinfolds, S/T ratio, body mass index (BMI), body fat percentage (fat%), lean body mass (LBM), and the proportion of obese boys (fat% > or =25% of Wt). From 1988-2005 there were significant increases in all variables except LBM. The lowest changes were observed in body structures (Ht, BA, and BI) and the highest were in body fatness (T, S, and fat%). During this 17-year period, the mean BMI standard deviation increased from 16.5 +/- 2.1 to 18.0 +/- 4.0 kg/m2 and fat percentage increased from 13.2 +/- 4.7 to 19.7 +/- 10.0%. In addition, S/T ratio increased by 13.5%, indicating shifts toward central obesity over time. However, the biggest increase was seen in the proportion of obese schoolboys (from 3.4% in 1988 to 24.5% in 2005). Findings indicate rising trends in BMI, body fatness, central obesity, and prevalence of obesity among Saudi schoolboys over the last 2 decades. Increased obesity prevalence among Saudi children is a major public health concern.Saudi medical journal 10/2007; 28(10):1569-74. · 0.52 Impact Factor -
Article: Adiposity and physical activity levels among preschool children in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
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ABSTRACT: To assess the levels of adiposity and physical activity among Saudi preschool children from Jeddah. Participants included 224 Saudi preschool children, randomly selected from public and private preschools in Jeddah during April and May of 2006, using a multistage stratified sampling technique. Measurements included weight, height, body mass index, triceps and subscapular skinfolds, fat percentage, fat mass (FM), fat-free mass (FFM), FM index (FMI) and FFM index (FFMI), time spent watching television and physical activity levels using electronic pedometer for 3 continuous days during weekdays. The fat content averaged 20.6% of body weight, while the prevalence of obesity was 10.8%. There were significant gender differences in fat percentage, FM, FFM, FMI, and FFMI. The mean value for pedometer-determined steps counts for the preschool children was 6773.2 steps per day. Boys were significantly more active than girls. Only 22.4% of the preschool children had 10,000 steps or more per day. There were no significant age differences in skinfolds measurements, fat percentage, FMI, FFMI, central obesity or daily steps counts. Television viewing time increased by 22.5% from age 4 to age 6. Compared to non-obese, obese preschool children were significantly heavier, taller and had higher values for all adiposity indices and television viewing time. A considerable proportion of Saudi preschool children is obese and even a greater proportion is physically inactive. Obesity and physical inactivity represent major risks for a number of non-communicable diseases, and an early intervention is most appropriate.Saudi medical journal 06/2007; 28(5):766-73. · 0.52 Impact Factor -
Article: Pedometer-determined physical activity among obese and non-obese 8- to 12-year-old Saudi schoolboys.
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ABSTRACT: Physical activity levels were measured in obese and non-obese 8- to 12- year-old schoolboys (n=296). Anthropometric measures included weight, height, body mass index (BMI), triceps and subscapular skinfolds, predicted fat percentage, fat mass (FM), fat-free mass (FFM), FM index (FMI), and FFM index (FFMI). Physical activity was assessed using an electronic pedometer for three continuous weekdays. Boys were divided into active and inactive groups based on daily accumulation of pedometer counts above or below 13,000 steps. Obesity was defined as body fat content that equals or exceeds 25% of body weight. The international age- and gender-specific child BMI cut-off points were also used to define overweight and obesity. Estimated fat content for the whole sample averaged 23.3+/-9.7%. More than 37% of the boys were classified as obese. The mean step counts were about 13,489+/-5,791 steps per day (range: 335-29,169 steps). Over 71% of the boys accumulated 10,000 steps or more per day. Based on BMI standards, mean step counts for the obese group (10,602+/-4,800 steps/day) were significantly (p=0.004) lower than in the normal group (14,271+/-5,576 steps/day). Based on fat percentage, obese boys also accumulated significantly (p=0.009) lower numbers of steps per day (12,682+/-5,236) than did non-obese boys (14,915+/-5,643). Further, there were significant differences (p<0.05) between active and inactive boys in weight, BMI, triceps and subscapular skinfolds, fat percentage, FMI, and flexibility. It is concluded that the prevalence of obesity and inactivity among Saudi boys aged 8-12 years was high. Active boys exhibited significantly lower body fat percentage and BMI than inactive peers. Obese boys, on the other hand, were significantly less active than non-obese boys. Increased prevalence of obesity and physical inactivity among Saudi children is a major public health concern.Journal of PHYSIOLOGICAL ANTHROPOLOGY 06/2007; 26(4):459-65. -
Article: Prevalence of physical activity and inactivity among Saudis aged 30-70 years. A population-based cross-sectional study.
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ABSTRACT: To assess physical activity levels among Saudi adults, and to examine the relationships of physical activity with body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC) and obesity prevalence. Data taken from the Coronary Artery Disease in Saudis Study which is a National Epidemiological Health Survey carried out between 1995 and 2000. Participants included 17395 Saudi males and females aged 30-70 years, selected randomly using a multistage stratified cluster sampling technique. Leisure-type and sport-related physical activities including walking were assessed using an interviewed-administered questionnaire. The activities were classified into five intensity categories and assigned metabolic equivalents (MET) according to the compendium of physical activity. Based on the intensity, duration and frequency of physical activity, subjects were classified into active or inactive category. Inactivity prevalence (96.1%) was very high. There were significantly (p<0.001)) more inactive females (98.1%) than males (93.9%). Inactivity prevalence increases with increasing age category, especially in males, and decreases with increasing education levels. Inactivity was the highest in the central region (97.3%; 95% CI = 96.8-97.8%) and the lowest in the southern region of Saudi Arabia (94.0%; 95% CI = 93.2-94.8%). Further, active individuals exhibited lower values of BMI and WC. These findings reveal the sedentary nature of Saudi population. The overwhelming majority of men and women did not reach the recommended physical activity levels necessary for promoting health and preventing diseases. The high prevalence of inactivity among Saudis represents a major public health concern.Saudi medical journal 04/2007; 28(4):559-68. · 0.52 Impact Factor -
Article: Rising trends in BMI of Saudi adolescents: evidence from three national cross sectional studies.
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ABSTRACT: To examine the trends in body mass index (BMI) of Saudi male adolescents between 1988 and 1996. The data set came from three major population-based cross sectional studies. They all involve nationally representative samples and were conducted between 1988 and 1996. BMI was calculated from body height and mass and plotted at the 50(th) and 90(th) percentiles. BMI of Saudi adolescents progressively increased at both 50(th) and 90(th) percentiles between 1988 and 1996. The increases in BMI during the eight-year period ranged from 9.6 to 10.8% at the 50 (th) percentiles and from 10.9 to 13.9% at the 90th percentiles. At ages 15-18 years, the yearly increase in median BMI from 1988 to 1996 averaged 0.246 kg/m(2). The rising trends in BMI between 1988 and 1996 are indication of increasing obesity among Saudi male adolescents. More attention to the promotion of healthy nutrition and physical activity throughout childhood and adolescence is required.Asia Pacific Journal of Clinical Nutrition 02/2007; 16(3):462-6. · 1.13 Impact Factor -
Article: Health-enhancing physical activity among Saudi adults using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ).
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ABSTRACT: To describe the physical activity profile of Saudi adults living in Riyadh, using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) short-version telephone format. Physical activity was assessed using the official Arabic short form of IPAQ, intended for use in telephone interview. The instrument asks for times spent in walking, moderate- and vigorous-intensity physical activity of at least 10 min duration. The sample consisted of 1616 Saudis, between 15 and 78 years of age, living in Riyadh. Participants were drawn from a list of names in the telephone book using a simple random method. Telephone interviews were administered during the spring of 2003 by trained male interviewers. The final sample size was 1064 Saudi males and females (response rate of 66%), with males comprising about 66% of the respondents. Over 43% of Saudis did not participate in any type of moderate-intensity physical activity lasting for at least 10 min. More than 72% of the sample did not engage in any type of vigorous-intensity physical activity lasting for at least 10 min. The proportion of Saudis who walked for 150 min or more per week was 33.3%. Females were engaged more in moderate physical activity than males, whereas males participated more in vigorous activity compared with females. Activity levels did not show significant relationships with education level or job hours per week. Based on the three activity categories established by IPAQ, 40.6% of Saudis were inactive, 34.3% were minimally active and 25.1% were physically active. Physical inactivity increased with advancing age. The data suggest that the prevalence of physical inactivity among Saudis adults is relatively high. Efforts are needed to encourage Saudis to be more physically active, with the goal of increasing the proportion of Saudis engaging in health-enhancing physical activity.Public Health Nutrition 02/2007; 10(1):59-64. · 2.17 Impact Factor
Top co-authors
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Institutions
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2012
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University of Bahrain
Manama, Capital Governorate, Bahrain
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2002–2012
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King Saud University
- College of Education
Riyadh, Mintaqat ar Riyad, Saudi Arabia
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