Association of the healthy eating index with overweight and obesity among children aged 4 to 9 years in the United Arab Emirates
A cross-sectional study
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 22085537 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Leila Cheikh Ismail (0000-0003-3048-7481), Leila Ismail (0000-0003-0946-1818, University of Sharjah), Ayesha S Al Dhaheri (0000-0002-7634-3531, United Arab Emirates University), Nada Abbas (0000-0002-1578-152X, University of Sharjah), Katia AbuShihab, Katia H AbuShihab (University of Sharjah), Fatima Al Zahraa Chokor (0000-0002-0418-7146, Qatar University), Lynda O’Neill (0000-0002-4378-9828, Hôpital Nestlé), Habiba I Ali (0000-0003-2685-1244, United Arab Emirates University), Habiba Ali, Maysm N Mohamad (0000-0002-6396-6625, United Arab Emirates University), Nahla Hwalla (0000-0002-0685-6323, American University of Beirut), Lara Nasreddine (0000-0003-3707-8218, American University of Beirut), Farah Naja (0000-0002-8861-3498, University of Sharjah, corresponding author) |
| Year | 2025 |
| Volume | 13 |
| Pages | 1644113-1644113 |
| Publication date | 2025-10-31 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Frontiers in Public Health (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 2296-2565 • E-ISSN: 2296-2565 |
| Publisher | Frontiers Media SA (PUBLISHER • CH) |
| DOI | 10.3389/fpubh.2025.1644113 |
| PMID | 41246087 |
| OpenAlex | W4415738834 |
| Language | EN |
| References cited | 55 |
Background: Pediatric obesity is a growing public health concern globally and in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Understanding diet quality in relation to obesity risk is essential for developing effective interventions. The main objective of this study is to evaluate dietary quality, as measured by the Healthy Eating Index (HEI), and examine its association with overweight and obesity among children aged 4 to 9 years in the UAE. Methods: Data for this study were derived from a representative survey conducted in the three largest Emirates of the UAE: Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Sharjah. A total of 426 children aged 4 to 9 years, recruited using a stratified cluster sampling frame, were included in the analysis. Data collection was conducted through face-to-face interviews with the main caregiver. Dietary intake was assessed via a 24-h recall. The HEI was used to examine dietary quality. Anthropometric data were collected to classify weight status using WHO BMI-for-age z-scores. Simple and multiple logistic regression models assessed associations between HEI scores and overweight/obesity. Results: = 0.014). Key dietary gaps were identified in vegetable, whole grain, and seafood/plant protein intake. Determinants of better HEI scores included higher paternal education, while maternal employment was associated with poorer diet quality. Conclusion: Diet quality among children in the UAE is generally suboptimal and is significantly associated with overweight and obesity. The HEI is a valuable tool for identifying dietary gaps and informing targeted nutritional interventions to reduce obesity risk in this population
Body mass index · Healthy diet · Healthy eating · Obesity · Overweight · Psychological intervention · Child Nutrition and Water Access · Nutritional Studies and Diet · Obesity, Physical Activity, Diet
The Healthy Eating Index
Development of the Healthy Eating Index-2005
Update of the Healthy Eating Index
G*Power 3
Economic impacts of overweight and obesity
How important is parental education for child nutrition
Spatial–temporal trends in global childhood overweight and obesity from 1975 to 2030
Nutritional status of children <5 years of age who have a working mother
| Citation velocity | historical |
|---|---|
| Highly cited | No |