Lifestyle habits: diet, physical activity and sleep duration among Omani adolescents

This study aimed to investigate the lifestyle habits-physical activity [PA], eating habits [EH], and sleep duration [SD]-of Omani adolescents, and to examine gender differences in such variables. 802 Omani adolescents [442 females and 360 males], aged 15-18 years were randomly recruited. Anthropometric indices, PA level, and EH and SD were evaluated by the Arab Teenage Lifestyle questionnaire. A semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire for dietary assessment was also administered. The results showed that although the study subjects had a sedentary lifestyle [lack of PA, average of 6.7 hours sleep, and consumption of high calorie foods], they maintained a normal body mass [less than 25 Kg/m2]. Males were more than twice as active as females. With respect to EH, there were few gender differences, except in dairy and meat consumption where 62.5% and 55.5% of males consumed more than 3 servings, respectively, compared to 18.78% and 35.2% of females, respectively. In addition, waist/height ratio, height, reasons for being active, energy drinks, potato consumption, eating sweets, vigorous PA and breakfast EHs were statistically significant independent predictors for BMI, P <0.05 for both males and females. This study revealed a high prevalence of sedentary behaviors and a low level of physical activity, especially among females. Unhealthy dietary habits were also widely found among both genders. There is an urgent need for more research as well as a national policy promoting active living and healthy eating and discouraging sedentary behaviour among Omani adolescents

Prevalence of overweight and obesity among female adolescents in Jordan: a comparison between two international reference standards

Objective: To find out the prevalence of overweight and obesity among female adolescents in Jordan

Methodology: A cross-sectional survey on females aged 15-18 in Amman, Jordan, was carried out using a multistage stratified random sampling method. The total sample size was 475 girls. Weight and height were measured and body mass index for age was used to determine overweight and obesity using the IOTF and WHO international standards

Results: The prevalence of overweight and obesity decreased with age. The highest prevalence of overweight and obesity was reported at age 15 [24.4% and 8.9%, respectively]. The WHO standard showed a higher prevalence of obesity than the IOTF standard in all age groups

Conclusions: Overweight and obesity are serious public health problems among adolescents in Jordan, using both international standards. A program to combat obesity among schoolchildren, therefore, should be given a high priority in school health policy in Jordan