ABSTRACT
Background: physical inactivity is a public health problem in Saudi Arabia. Physical inactivity is associated with several chronic diseases, increased medical care costs and premature death
Objectives: to determine the pattern of physical activity, the predictors of physical inactivity and the perceived barriers of physical activity among students in College of Medicine at Al-Jouf University, Saudi Arabia
Methods: a cross sectional study was carried out among 283 medical students in the age group of 19- 33 years. The Arabic short form of International Physical Activity Questionnaire [IPAQ] was used to measure physical activity. Analysis was done according to the guidelines for data processing and analysis of the IPAQ
Results: overall, 60.1% of the students were physically inactive. Only 38.2% of the students performed vigorous physical activity, 21.9% moderate-intensity physical activity and 33.2% walking activities, which met World Health Organization criteria of health-enhancing physical activities. The significant predictors of physical inactivity were low father education, dead or retired father, mothers not working for cash, families with five members or more and non-participation in sports clubs. The significant barriers of physical activity among physically inactive students were time limitations, lack of money, lack of safe sport places, not being interested in sports and body cannot tolerate physical activity
Conclusion: the majority of medical students of Al-Jouf University in Saudi Arabia are physically inactive. Overcoming perceived barriers may increase physical activity among university students
ABSTRACT
Cerebral palsy [CP] is the most frequent cause of motor handicap among children. Many etiologies and risk factors for the non-progressive lesion in CP are considered to be antenatal, delivery or neonatal. The present case control study aims to investigate the risk factors of cerebral palsy among children under five years in Assiut Governorate. Three hundred children randomly selected; 150 children with CP matched in number, age and sex with normal children as controls. The mean age of cases and controls were 1.99 +/- 1.34 and 1.98 +/- 1.33, respectively. The results revealed that significantly higher percent of cases were left handed compared with controls. Artificial feeding was common among cases. Significant statistical differences were found between two study groups regarding, socioeconomic status, birth order, family history of CP, premature rupture of membranes, low birth weight, birth trauma, cyanosis at birth, and history of encephalitis. No statistically significant differences were found between the two groups in malpresentations, twin pregnancies, recurrent abortion, history of meningitis. In conclusion, birth trauma, low birth weight, artificial feeding and encephalitis are the most frequent risk factors in children with CP in Assiut Governorate. Therefore, antenatal, natal and postnatal health life styles reduce baby's chances of developing cerebral palsy