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The Relationship between Lifestyle Factors and Obesity Indices among Adolescents in Qatar

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  • Abdelhamid Kerkadi

    (Human Nutrition Department, College of Health Science, QU-Health, Qatar University, Doha 2713, Qatar)

  • Abdelmonem H. Sadig

    (Human Nutrition Department, College of Health Science, QU-Health, Qatar University, Doha 2713, Qatar)

  • Hiba Bawadi

    (Human Nutrition Department, College of Health Science, QU-Health, Qatar University, Doha 2713, Qatar)

  • Al Anoud Mohammed Al Thani

    (Ministry of Public Health, Doha 42, Qatar)

  • Walaa Al Chetachi

    (Ministry of Public Health, Doha 42, Qatar)

  • Hammad Akram

    (Ministry of Public Health, Doha 42, Qatar)

  • Hazzaa M. Al-Hazzaa

    (Paediatric Exercise Physiology Research Laboratory, College of Education, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia)

  • Abdulrahman O. Musaiger

    (Arab Centre for Nutrition, Manama 26923, Bahrain)

Abstract

Background: Physical inactivity, sedentary behaviour and an unhealthy diet are factors that may increase weight and general and/or abdominal obesity. Objective: To evaluate the relationship between general and abdominal obesity and lifestyle factors among adolescents in Qatar. Methods: The study data are based on the Arab Teens Lifestyle Study (ATLS). The target population consisted of 1184 adolescents aged between 14 and 18 years old (563 boys and 621 girls), randomly selected through multistage sampling. A validated questionnaire was used to collect data on lifestyle indicators. Anthropometric indicators, which included body weight, height and waist circumference (WC), were measured according to standardised procedures. International Obesity Task Force (IOTF) age- and sex-specific body mass index (BMI) reference values were used to define overweight and obesity. Abdominal obesity was defined by the ‘waist-to-height ratio’ (WHtR > 0.5) and by sex- and age-specific WC cutoff values. Results: Females were more inactive than males (63.7% vs. 36.3%; p < 0.001). The proportion of adolescents who reported screen time of over 2 h per day was 82.5%. Females engaged in more sedentary behaviour than males (53.4% vs. 46.4%, p = 0.009). Being male (OR: 1.3; CI: 1.0–1.7) and skipping breakfast (OR: 1.5; CI: 1.2–2) were significantly associated with overweight/obesity. In contrast, high intake of fast food, fries, sweets and cake were negative predictors of general and abdominal obesity. Conclusions: The findings revealed the prevalence of unhealthy lifestyle habits among adolescents in Qatar and indicated relationships between certain dietary habits and obesity. The findings of this study may help in advocating for the implementation of an intervention that includes lifestyle changes targeting adolescents.

Suggested Citation

  • Abdelhamid Kerkadi & Abdelmonem H. Sadig & Hiba Bawadi & Al Anoud Mohammed Al Thani & Walaa Al Chetachi & Hammad Akram & Hazzaa M. Al-Hazzaa & Abdulrahman O. Musaiger, 2019. "The Relationship between Lifestyle Factors and Obesity Indices among Adolescents in Qatar," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(22), pages 1-15, November.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:16:y:2019:i:22:p:4428-:d:286422
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Hazzaa M. Al-Hazzaa & Hana I. Al-Sobayel & Abdulrahman O. Musaiger, 2011. "Convergent Validity of the Arab Teens Lifestyle Study (ATLS) Physical Activity Questionnaire," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 8(9), pages 1-11, September.
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    Cited by:

    1. Abeer Ahmad Bahathig & Hazizi Abu Saad & Nor Baizura Md Yusop & Nurul Husna Mohd Shukri & Maha M. Essam El-Din, 2021. "Relationship between Physical Activity, Sedentary Behavior, and Anthropometric Measurements among Saudi Female Adolescents: A Cross-Sectional Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(16), pages 1-14, August.
    2. Ibrahim Alasqah & Ilias Mahmud & Leah East & Nada Alqarawi & Kim Usher, 2021. "Dietary Behavior of Adolescents in the Qassim Region, Saudi Arabia: A Comparison between Cities with and without the Healthy Cities Program," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(18), pages 1-13, September.
    3. Liwang Gao & Jiang Zhu & Liang Wang & Li Ming Wen & Zhuo Chen & Bingtong Zhao & Weidong Wang & Youfa Wang, 2022. "Interactions between Self-Perceived Weight Status and Lifestyle Behaviors and Their Associations with Childhood Obesity: Results from the Childhood Obesity Study in China Mega-Cities," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(16), pages 1-12, August.
    4. Esraa Burahmah & Sivaramkumar Shanmugam & Ben Stansfield, 2023. "Full-Day Physical Activity and Sedentary Behaviour Levels of Typically Developing Children and Adolescents in the Middle East: A Systematic Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(20), pages 1-29, October.
    5. Sohaila Cheema & Amit Abraham & Katie G. El-Nahas & Rasha Abou-Amona & Abdulla O. Al-Hamaq & Patrick Maisonneuve & Karima Chaabna & Albert B. Lowenfels & Ravinder Mamtani, 2022. "Assessment of Overweight, Obesity, Central Obesity, and Type 2 Diabetes among Adolescents in Qatar: A Cross-Sectional Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(21), pages 1-12, November.

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