Abstract
Background: The current study was done to assess the cross-cultural difference in physical activity and sedentary behavior among girls from culturally, environmentally, and geographically diverse countries residing in Saudi Arabia. Methods: This was a comparative cross-sectional study conducted among expatriate girls (N = 275), aged 9–16 years. Participants were from India (n = 65), Pakistan (n = 88), Egypt (n = 50), Sudan (n = 49), and other nationals (n = 23). They were randomly selected from different schools in Riyadh and their Body Mass Index (BMI) and screen time was assessed. Physical activity (PA) and leisure-time activity was assessed using Physical Activity Questionnaire for Older Children (PAQ-C) and the Godin-Shephard Leisure-Time Exercise Questionnaire (GSLTPAQ) respectively. Results: Out of 275, 65.8% were active and 34.2% were insufficiently active as per the GSLTPAQ, and half of them were moderately active and only 22.2% were extremely active as per PAQ-C. No statistical significant differences in their BMI status, screen time, or the levels of PA among expatriate girls. Conclusions: This study shows that the expatriate female school children in Saudi Arabia demonstrated a similar pattern in their BMI, sedentary time spent, and PA levels.
Highlights
Overweight or obesity, and physical inactivity are considered important risk factors of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and considered as one of the leading factors of global mortality [1].Worldwide, physical inactivity is the cause of 6% of deaths each year and it is the fourth most frequent cause of death in adults [2]
This study shows that the expatriate female school children in Saudi Arabia demonstrated a similar pattern in their Body Mass Index (BMI), sedentary time spent, and Physical activity (PA) levels
No significant difference in BMI was observed between the groups using
Summary
Overweight or obesity, and physical inactivity are considered important risk factors of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and considered as one of the leading factors of global mortality [1].Worldwide, physical inactivity is the cause of 6% of deaths each year and it is the fourth most frequent cause of death in adults [2]. Childhood obesity has become a global epidemic in developed nations, but in developing countries as well. This condition is likely to continue to adulthood and is significantly associated with many comorbidities [3]. The current study was done to assess the cross-cultural difference in physical activity and sedentary behavior among girls from culturally, environmentally, and geographically diverse countries residing in Saudi Arabia. Participants were from India (n = 65), Pakistan (n = 88), Egypt (n = 50), Sudan (n = 49), and other nationals (n = 23) They were randomly selected from different schools in Riyadh and their Body Mass Index (BMI) and screen time was assessed. Results: Out of 275, 65.8% were active and 34.2% were insufficiently active as per the GSLTPAQ, and half of them were moderately active and only 22.2%
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