Abstract
BACKGROUND: According to a national survey in 2014, the prevalence of overweight and obesity among Saudi women is reaching 33.5%. Instead of adopting healthy lifestyle, this population may adopt some weight management practices (WMP) which might be unhealthy and some could lead to serious health issues. AIM: To compare lifestyle patterns and WMP adopted by obese and normal weight Saudi females by assessing the difference in energy and macronutrients intake, dietary habits, level of physical activity and WMP. METHODS: Through a cross-sectional study among female students at Princess Nourah Bint Abdulrahman University (PNU) (Riyadh – KSA.), 200 participants were conveniently selected, assigned in two groups in obese and normal weight (each group have 100 students) based on their BMI according to the WHO cut-off values. Data collected through questionnaire and analysis was performed using SPSS program, Chi-square and t-test were used to assess the difference between the two groups. RESULTS: Unhealthy WMP were high among obese students. Total calorie intake was not different; however, fat intake was higher in obese group (p<0.01). Level of moderate active was higher in normal group than obese group (33% versus 19%, respectively). Food frequency consumption showed that fruit, date and dressing were higher in obese group compared to normal weight group (p-value = 0.02, 0.01 and 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: Obese PNU female students adopt unhealthy WMP besides their inadequate nutritional intake and unhealthy dietary habits. Increasing awareness about the healthy lifestyle to manage weight is urgently needed. Keywords: Weight practice management, Obesity, Female University students, Saudi Arabia
Highlights
The lifestyle refers to a person’s unique pattern of living including dietary habits, how time is being spent and the regularity of physical activity [1]
Food frequency consumption showed that fruit, date, and dressing were higher in obese group compared to normal weight group (p-value = 0.02, 0.01 and 0.03)
Healthy lifestyles are defined as adopted styles based on non-smoking, an acceptable body mass index (BMI), a high fruit and vegetable intake, regular physical activity (PA), as they are associated with reductions in the incidence of certain chronic diseases
Summary
The lifestyle refers to a person’s unique pattern of living including dietary habits, how time is being spent and the regularity of physical activity [1]. Healthy lifestyles are defined as adopted styles based on non-smoking, an acceptable body mass index (BMI), a high fruit and vegetable intake, regular physical activity (PA), as they are associated with reductions in the incidence of certain chronic diseases. Instead of adopting healthy lifestyle, this population may adopt some weight management practices (WMP) which might be unhealthy and some could lead to serious health issues. AIM: To compare lifestyle patterns and WMP adopted by obese and normal weight Saudi females by assessing the difference in energy and macronutrients intake, dietary habits, level of physical activity and WMP. Food frequency consumption showed that fruit, date, and dressing were higher in obese group compared to normal weight group (p-value = 0.02, 0.01 and 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: Obese PNU female students adopt unhealthy WMP besides their inadequate nutritional intake and unhealthy dietary habits. Increasing awareness about the healthy lifestyle to manage weight is urgently needed
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