Obesity among adolescents in Saudi Arabia
A 2013 study by Abdulrahman Obaid Musaiger (University of Bahrain, Manama, Bahrain) and Nisreen Zagzoog showed interesting patterns in dietary habits and lifestyle among adolescent girls in Saudi Arabia. The study was designed to explore how differently girls from private and government schools live, in a dietary and health perspective. Most health and dietary surveys were traditionally focused and limited to government schools, but the research undertaken in the study took on a comparative aspect. A cross-sectional survey using multi-stage, stratified sampling was carried out on adolescent schoolgirls. The research design is experimental in nature. The research used placebo and control groups as instruments for validating the study. Lifestyle is the highest risk factor among adolescents in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
A non-experimental data collection and research design was implemented. In the research, the total sample was 512 girls. The girls answered a pre-tested questionnaire. During the 2005-2006 school years, the pretested and validated questionnaire was used in the collection of data on the intake of select food items by the girls, and lifestyle habits. The data taken from the questionnaires was then classified by the type of school from which it originated (either private or government). To obtain participants from the age range, preparatory and secondary schools were included. Randomly selected schools from 2 geographical divisions of the city of Jeddah were selected. One class from each educational level (8-12) was selected randomly. Due protocol was followed for obtaining the data, including obtaining approval from the School Health Department, Ministry of Education and obtaining consent from each school. The questionnaires were explained to the students by a qualified nutritionist.
The research showed that girls in private schools were more likely to eat vegetables, red meat and chicken, in comparison with their government school counter-parts. Girls from government schools had a higher intake of chocolates (68.4% vs. 56.6%), sweets, and fast foods (26.5% vs. 16.3%). Girls from government schools were more likely to watch three or more hours of television in one day and also to use the internet daily. They were also less likely to exercise in or outside of school. Girls from private schools did more exercise because they happened to have more sports-and-fitness related classes. Girls in general have unhealthy diets such as having a low intake of fruit and fish, vegetables, and frequently missing breakfast. The girls also spend a lot of time watching TV and browsing the internet. Of girls aged between 14-19 years, 62% did not consume vegetables, while 69% did not consume fruit.
The study provides valuable insight into dietary habits and lifestyle of adolescent girls in high school. Due to the nature of the research not having a control group or placebo, it is not possible to draw scientific facts from it regarding obesity. One can only derive logical implications from health patterns observed and documented in other parts of the world. The factors that contribute to and aggravate obesity are well known, apart from those caused by chronic illness, to be lack of (sufficient) exercise and poor dietary habits. The biggest risk factors for adolescent girls in Saudi Arabia, according to data from the study, are lack of exercise and poor dietary habits. High intake of fast foods, soft drinks, and chocolates and sweets, coupled with an infrequent breakfast and an unhealthily sedentary lifestyle of too much television and internet surfing, is the most effective risk factor associated with obesity among adolescents in Saudi Arabia.
