Differences among Saudi and Expatriate Students

Body Composition Indices, Sitting Time Associated with Media Use and Physical Activity Pattern

Bibliographic Data

ID15513002
AuthorsAhmad H Alghadir (0000-0002-1204-476X, King Saud University), Zaheen A Iqbal (0000-0002-0504-6863, King Saud University, corresponding author), Sami A Gabr (0000-0001-5071-291X, King Saud University), Sami Gabr (0000-0003-4965-5852, Mansoura University)
Year2020
Volume17
Issue3
Pages832-832
Publication date2020-01-29
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueInternational Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1661-7827 • E-ISSN: 1660-4601
PublisherMultidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (PUBLISHER • CH)
DOI10.3390/ijerph17030832
PMID32013115
OpenAlexW3004013375
LanguageEN
Citations received6
References cited67

Background : Being overweight at a young age is a predictor of developing obesity and related complications later in adulthood, posing a high risk to public health. Various ethnic subgroups have been identified as having a higher prevalence of overweight or obese. Saudi Arabia is one of the fastest-growing economies in the world, where the expatriate population comprises 33% of its total population. The objective of this study was to investigate differences in body composition indices, sitting time associated with media use, and physical activity pattern among a sample of local and expatriate school students in Saudi Arabia. Methods : 500 students (aged 8-18 years) from various schools were invited to participate in this study. Body weight, waist circumference (WC) and height were measured using a portable digital metric scale, standard measuring tape and wall mounted tape respectively. Participants and their parents were jointly asked to report the average time that the participant spent sitting using media (watching TV, playing video games, and using the internet and other screen-based devices etc.) per day. The pattern of physical activity among participants was measured using a short form of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). Basal metabolic rate (BMR) and total daily energy expenditure (TEE) were estimated from body weight, height, age, sex and physical activity, according to the Harris-Benedict equation. Results : Data from 450 (90%) of the participants were used for analysis. The mean age of the participants was 14.55 ± 1.74 years. Body mass index (BMI), WC, waist to height ratio (WHtR), BMR and TEE differed significantly among the participants. Physical fitness score negatively correlated with BMI and WC, while sitting time associated with media use positively correlated with BMI, WC, WHtR and physical fitness score, among both Saudi and expatriate participants. Conclusions : Body composition indices and sitting time associated with media use were higher among Saudi boys and expatriate girls. Expatriate boys and girls were reported to be physically more active than their Saudi counterparts. BMR and TEE were higher among expatriate boys and Saudi girls. Although this study provides useful information about the association of body composition indices, sitting time associated with media use, and physical activity pattern among local and expatriate school students in SA, similar studies involving a larger study sample, with equal gender representation, are further required to determine various factors associated with this link

Body mass index · Obesity · Overweight · Physical activity · Physical therapy · Population · Screen time · Sitting · Waist · Demography · Health and Lifestyle Studies · Medicine · Obesity, Physical Activity, Diet · Physical Activity and Health · Psychology · Gerontology

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