Differences in Physical Behaviour between Obese and Normal Weight Saudi Arabian Boys and Girls: What is Worth Noting?

Hmidan Alturki,Denise Brookes,Peter Davies

doi:10.5334/paah.25

Abstract

Objectives: As there still insufficient evidence on the physical behaviours of children who gain weight. Purpose: We aimed to gather data and investigate if any variability in physical behaviours determines whether an urban Saudi school child will be of normal weight or obese. Methods: A multicentre cross-sectional study of 1023 child, aged 9.00 to 11.99 years, who divided into two groups (normal weight and obese, as classified by their BMI), and further stratified by sex. Participants in each group were randomly selected using a multistage stratified cluster-sampling technique. A self-paced questionnaire was used to collect data relating to physical activities (PA) and behaviours. Weight, height and waist circumference were measured, and bioelectrical impedance analysis was assessed in all children. Results: Children being “active” during physical education (PE) significantly differed between groups (p = 0.000), and this difference remained after being stratified by sex (boys, p = 0.000; girls, p = 0.039). Regular child activities frequency/week, i.e. jogging or running (p = 0.020), bicycling (p = 0.000), moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) (p = 0.021), vigorous physical activity (VPA) (p = 0.000), and household work (p = 0.009), were significantly different between groups, and particularly for the boys. The best places for all children to undertake PA were at home and school. Public parks and schools were highly preferred by normal weight boys and girls, respectively. Normal weight children, especially boys, clearly indicated being very active during most recess breaks; the difference was significant (p = 0.000). Sleeping hours were not significantly different between the normal weight and obese groups, or for both genders. Conclusion: Lower levels of physical activities are common behaviours among obese children, and especially boys. There poses an increased risk of obesity that’s needs to be addressed.

Highlights

Current urban lifestyles have encouraged sedentary activities in which physical activity is minimal, especially among children, adolescents, and young adults (Özgür & Aslan, 2015)
With reference to all activities, the percentage of obese children who did not do any physical activities (PA) was higher than the normal weight children
Limited contemporary studies exist on the PA behaviors in children of Saudi Arabia

Summary

Introduction

Current urban lifestyles have encouraged sedentary activities in which physical activity is minimal, especially among children, adolescents, and young adults (Özgür & Aslan, 2015). There is increased incidence of adverse health outcomes such as obesity. A low percentage of children and adolescent are meeting the set guidelines for physical activity (PA) In Australia, only 23% of primary school children meet the recommended level of PA (Hardy et al 2016). There is a direct relationship between the healthy weight status of a child and PA measured by the levels of energy expenditure (Hills, Andersen & Byrne, 2011). Encouraging overweight, and even normal weight children, to increase their participation in PA and reducing sedentary time, will help minimise weight gain and associated health risks

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Conclusion