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

Abdelhamid Kerkadi, Abdelmonem H. Sadig, Hiba Bawadi, Al Anoud Mohammed Al Thani, Walaa Al Chetachi, Hammad Akram, Hazzaa M. Al-Hazzaa and Abdulrahman O. Musaiger
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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

IJERPH, 2019, vol. 16, issue 22, 1-15

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.

Keywords: Qatar; adolescents; obesity; cross-sectional study; sedentary behaviour; dietary habits; physical activity (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (5)

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