RESUMO
Background: Published health promoting or health risk behaviors data in a young population is sparse for Saudi Arabia. Identifying health risk factors early in life and promoting primary prevention interventions among the youth is of utmost importance to move in a healthier direction Objectives: The aim of this study is to identify the socio-economic factors influencing BMI in female students in University of Hail. Methodology: A cross sectional survey was carried out to evaluate dietary behaviors in a random sample of 200 adolescent students, from UOH female campus during the winter semester. Self administered questionnaire for dietary behaviors was used for survey by following anonymity and privacy. Results: This study was conducted to measure BMI and determine the socioeconomic factors affecting the relative weight of young adult females living in the city of Ha’il, Saudi Arabia. A total of 200 female subjects (mean ± SD: age: 19.76 ± 1.98 years and BMI: 23.47 ± 5.58 kg/m2) participated in the present survey. 28.5 % percent of study sample were either overweight or obese. Age wise distribution indicates overweight and obesity significantly increases with age. Breakfast is frequently skipped in overweight and obese subjects while frequency of snacking less among them. Findings of the current study also suggest habit of frequent snacking behavior inverse association with BMI. The current study findings have indicated no clear impact of physical activity on obesity prevalence.
RESUMO
In order to investigate the relationship among physical status, eating habits and life style, this survey was carried out by questionnaire in 1996. College students(413 cases) who resided in Chuncheon answered. The results are as follows: 1) The means of height and weight were 173.9+/-5.0 cm, 64.5+/-8.3 kg in male students and 160.9+/-4.5 cm, 51.1+/-5.8 kg in female students. 2) Under 20 of BMI(Body Mass Index) were 23.0% of male students and 58.3% of female students. 6.7% of males and 3.0% of females were over 25 of BMI. 3) There was a significant relationship between the type of favorite snacks and gender. There was a significant difference of BMI according to the level of the frequency and the amount of drinking alcoholic beverages. 72.6% of subjects took exercise regularly. But the BMI of subjects taking regular exercise and watching the weight tended to be higher than that of subjects not doing so. 4) Most students(78.5%) skipped breakfast, which was higher in the self-boarding students in than any other. It was because of the lack of time that they skipped their meals. This study suggests that a comprehensive nutrition education program is needed for college students in self-boarding houses and dormitories to improve their eating habits about skipping meals, and especially for female students to prevent inappropriate weight control.