A Cross-Cultural Comparison of Health Behaviors between Saudi and British Adolescents Living in Urban Areas: Gender by Country Analyses

Hazzaa M. Al-Hazzaa, Yahya Al-Nakeeb, Michael J. Duncan, Hana I. Al-Sobayel, Nada A. Abahussain, Abdulrahman O. Musaiger, Mark Lyons, Peter Collins and Alan Nevill
Additional contact information
Hazzaa M. Al-Hazzaa: Pediatric Exercise Physiology Research Laboratory, College of Education, King Saud University, P.O. Box 2458, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
Yahya Al-Nakeeb: College of Education, Qatar University, P.O. Box 2713, Qatar
Michael J. Duncan: Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Coventry University, James Starley Building, Priory Street, Coventry, CV1 5FB, UK
Hana I. Al-Sobayel: Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Saud University, P.O. Box 6941, Riyadh 11452, Saudi Arabia
Nada A. Abahussain: School Health Services, Ministry of Education, Eastern Province 31952, Saudi Arabia
Abdulrahman O. Musaiger: Nutrition and Health Studies Unit, University of Bahrain, P.O. Box 32038, Manama, Bahrain
Mark Lyons: Department of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland
Peter Collins: School of Human Sciences, Newman University College, Birmingham, Genners Lane, Bartley Green, Birmingham B32 3NT, UK
Alan Nevill: School of Performing Arts and Leisure, University of Wolverhampton, Gorway Road, Walsall, WS1 3BD, UK

IJERPH, 2013, vol. 10, issue 12, 1-20

Abstract: This study investigated the cross-cultural differences and similarity in health behaviors between Saudi and British adolescents. A school-based cross-sectional study was conducted at four cities in Saudi Arabia (Riyadh and Al-Khobar; N = 1,648) and Britain (Birmingham and Coventry; N = 1,158). The participants (14–18 year-olds) were randomly selected using a multistage stratified cluster sampling technique. Measurements included anthropometric, screen time, validated physical activity (PA) questionnaire and dietary habits. The overweight/obesity prevalence among Saudi adolescents (38.3%) was significantly ( p < 0.001) higher than that found among British adolescents (24.1%). The British adolescents demonstrated higher total PA energy expenditure than Saudi adolescents (means ± SE = 3,804.8 ± 81.5 vs. 2,219.9 ± 65.5 METs-min/week). Inactivity prevalence was significantly ( p < 0.001) higher among Saudi adolescents (64%) compared with that of British adolescents (25.5%). The proportions of adolescents exceeding 2 h of daily screen time were high (88.0% and 90.8% among Saudis and British, respectively). The majority of Saudi and British adolescents did not have daily intakes of breakfast, fruit, vegetables and milk. MANCOVA showed significant ( p < 0.05) gender by country interactions in several lifestyle factors. There was a significant ( p < 0.001) gender differences in the ratio of physical activity to sedentary behaviors. In conclusion, Saudi and British adolescents demonstrated some similarities and differences in their PA levels, sedentary behaviors and dietary habits. Unhealthy lifestyle behaviors among adolescents appear to be a cross-cultural phenomenon.

Keywords: adolescents; British; culture; dietary habits; lifestyle factors; physical activity; Saudi; screen time; sedentary behaviors (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2013
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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