Obesity, Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior Amongst British and Saudi Youth: A Cross-Cultural Study

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health

Yahya Al-Nakeeb¹  Mark Lyons¹  Peter Collins¹  Anwar Al-Nuaim¹  Hazzaa Al-Hazzaa²  Michael J. Duncan³ 

[1] School of Human Sciences, Newman University College, Genners Lane, Bartley Green, Birmingham, B32 3NT, UK;Exercise Physiology Laboratory, King Saud University, P.O. Box 2458, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia;Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Coventry University, James Starley Building, Priory Street, Coventry, CV1 5FB, UK;

关键词: obesity;    physical activity;    young people;    lifestyle;    environment;   

DOI  :  10.3390/ijerph9041490

来源: mdpi

【 摘 要 】

This study explores differences in weight status, obesity and patterns of physical activity (PA) in relation to gender and age of youth from two culturally, environmentally and geographically diverse countries, the United Kingdom (UK) and Saudi Arabia (SA). A total of 2,290 males and females (15–17 years) volunteered to participate in this study. Participants completed a validated self-report questionnaire that contained 47 items relating to patterns of PA, sedentary activity and eating habits. The questionnaire allows the calculation of total energy expenditure in metabolic equivalent (MET-min) values per week. Significant differences in percentage of overweight/obese and levels of PA were evident between the youth from the two countries, with males being generally more physically active than females. Additionally, there were significant associations between Body Mass Index (BMI), PA and sedentary behaviors; the youth with higher BMI reported lower levels of PA and higher amounts of sedentary time. These findings highlight the diverse nature of lifestyle of youth living in different geographical areas of the world and the need for further research to explore the socio-cultural factors that impact on the prevalence of obesity and patterns of PA of youth in different populations.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© 2012 by the authors; licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.