Increasing obesity rates in school children in United Arab Emirates.
Ontology highlight
ABSTRACT: Background
The remarkable socioeconomic changes in United Arab Emirates (UAE) necessitate regular monitoring of obesity in our population. This study explored the epidemiology of obesity in a large cohort of UAE students.Methods
This population-based study investigated the prevalence of obesity in 44,942 students attending governmental schools in Ras Al-Khaimah. Body-mass-index (BMI) was calculated in 15,532 children (4-12 y) in 2013-2014, and in 29,410 children (3-18 y) in 2014-2015. The International Obesity Task Force, World Health Organization, and Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reference methods were used to identify overweight, obesity, and extremely-obesity.Results
Using CDC interpretation of BMI, from 11 to 14 y, the prevalence of BMI ≥85th percentile was 41.2%, BMI ≥95th percentile 24.3% and BMI ≥99th percentile 5.7%. Obesity increased linearly from 3 to 12 y (R2 ≥ 0.979); each year an additional 2.36% of the students became obese and 0.28% became extremely obese. The rate of extreme-obesity was 9.6-fold higher in boys than girls (0.58% vs. 0.06%). From 15 to 18 y, 10.3% of boys were extremely obese and 3.0% of girls were extremely obese.Conclusions
These results confirm a steady rise in obesity in children 3-18 y. The rising rate of extreme obesity is also alarming, especially among boys.
SUBMITTER: AlBlooshi A
PROVIDER: S-EPMC5074293 | biostudies-literature |
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
Similar Datasets
Project description:The heterogeneity in symptomatology and phenotypic profile attributable to COVID-19 is widely unknown. For the first time, our study provides the unique advantage of obtaining samples from the Middle Eastern population, an underrepresented region in genetic studies, and explore new genotypes in this population that will yield to novel genetic association. Specifically, we studied 646 patients in the United Arab Emirates. We describe strong association signals from genes on chromosomes 2, 3, 5, 11 and 13, which carry genes that are expressed in the lung, have been associated with tumour progression, emphysema, airway obstruction, and surface tension within the lung. Identifying genetic variants associated to COVID-19 susceptibility and severity may uncover novel biological insights into disease pathogenesis and identify mechanistic targets for therapeutic and vaccine development.
2022-06-03 | GSE184150 | GEO
Project description:BackgroundThe purpose of the article was to assess students' perception of the learning environment at the College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University using the 'Medical School Learning Environment Survey' (MSLES). Evaluating the learning environment and working towards its improvement is crucial for the physical and mental well-being of medical students, as it contributes to fostering an optimal learning environment.MethodsStudents participated in four groups: Year-1 (pre-medical), Year-2 (pre-medical), Year-3/Year-4 (pre-clinical), and Year-5/Year-6 (clinical). MSLES data was collected from each group using an online survey tool (Qualtrics XM). Latent factor structures in the learning environment constructs were assessed using 'exploratory factor analysis'; and reliability was measured by Cronbach's alpha. Differences among groups were assessed by 'single factor ANOVA'.ResultsThree hundred seventy-seven (65%) of the 584 eligible students completed the survey. Exploratory factor analysis revealed four factors: (Genn J. AMEE Medical Education Guide 23 (Part 1): Curriculum, environment, climate, quality and change in medical education-a unifying perspective. Med Teach. 2001;23(4):337-44.) Learning experience (∝=0.71), (Maudsley RF. Role models and the learning environment: essential elements in effective medical education. Acad Med. 2001;76(5):432-4.) Student-student interaction (∝=0.69), (Gruppen LD, Irby DM, Durning SJ, Maggio LA. Conceptualizing learning environments in the health professions. Acad Med. 2019;94(7):969-74.) Student-faculty interaction (∝=0.62), and (Soemantri D, Herrera C, Riquelme A. Measuring the educational environment in health professions studies: A systematic review. Med Teach. 2010;32(12):947-52.) Academic support (∝=0.62). Students in Y3-Y6 rated the learning environment statistically significantly lower than that in Y1-Y2. Student-student interaction in Y2 was significantly lower than that in other years. Student-faculty interaction in Y1 was significantly higher than that in Y2. Academic support was significantly higher in Y1 than that in Y2-Y6.ConclusionThe MSLES revealed variabilities in learning domains across the years. Improvement efforts should foster student-student collaboration in Y2 and improve academic support approaches for Y2-6. These findings provide valuable insights for medical educators to enhance the medical school learning environment and foster an optimal learning environment in lifelong medical education.
| S-EPMC11321012 | biostudies-literature
Project description:[No Abstract Available].
| S-EPMC5541193 | biostudies-other
Project description:BackgroundOptimal complementary feeding (CF) promotes health and supports growth and development in children. While suboptimal feeding practices are reported for many countries, very limited information exists about such practices in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The present study describes CF practices in Abu Dhabi, UAE, and evaluates them using the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) Programming Guide: Infant and Young Child Feeding.MethodsIn this cross-sectional study, participating mothers of children below the age of two reported on their children's CF introduction and practices via a structured questionnaire. The study received ethical approval (ZU17_006_F) from Zayed University.ResultsOut of 1822 participating mothers, 938 had initiated complementary feeding for their children, who had a mean age of 7.1 ± 5.9 months. Three quarters of the children (72.2%) were introduced to CF in a timely manner between the ages of 6 and 9 months. A majority (71.4%) consumed ≥4 food groups, i.e. the recommended minimum diet diversity. In total, less than half (47.3%) of the children met the requirements for minimum meal frequency, with the non-breastfed, 6-23 month old children being the least compliant (21.9%) (p < 0.001). Many children were fed with sugar-containing snack items. Overall, 36.2% of the children aged ≥6 months had a minimum acceptable diet.ConclusionThe gap between the suboptimal CF practices and the recommendations may be attributable to poor knowledge about feeding practices rather than food availability problems. Effective intervention programs can facilitate improvements in the feeding practices to better support a healthy upbringing among Abu Dhabi infants and toddlers.
| S-EPMC7453515 | biostudies-literature
Project description:ObjectivesTo estimate the prevalence and predictors of obesity among adolescents in the United Arab Emirates.DesignCross-sectional study.SettingPrivate and public secondary schools.ParticipantsAdolescents aged 13-19 years; 434 (46.6%) from private schools and 498 (53.4%) from public schools.MeasuresSelf-report questionnaires were used to assess adolescents' sociodemographic factors, fruit/vegetable (F/V) intake and physical activity. Participants' weight, height, waist circumference (WC), hip circumference and body fat percentage (%BF) were measured, and waist-to-height ratio (WHtR), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) and body mass index (BMI) were calculated. Overweight/obesity was determined by BMI ≥85th percentile for age, abdominal obesity (AO) (WC, WHtR and WHR) and %BF.ResultsA total of 34.7% of participants were overweight/obese (BMI ≥85th percentile) and 378 (40.6%) had high %BF. AO was noted in 47.3%, 22.7% and 27.1% of participants, based on WC, WHR and WHtR, respectively. Significantly more participants from public schools were overweight/obese (37.8% vs 31.1%) and had greater AO (based on WC, WHR, WHtR) compared with those from private schools. Predictors of obesity based on BMI were: consuming less than five servings of F/V (adjusted OR (AOR) 2.41, 95% CI: 1.73 to 3.36), being physically inactive (AOR 2.09, CI: 1.36 to 3.22) and being men (AOR 3.35, 95% CI: 2.20 to 5.10). Predictors of AO were being men (WC: AOR 1.42, 95% CI: 1.01 to 2.00; WHtR: AOR 2.72, 95% CI: 1.81 to 4.08); studying at public school (WHR: AOR 1.67, 95% CI: 1.06 to 2.66); being Emirati (WHR: AOR 0.62, 95% CI: 0.43 to 0.90); consuming less than five servings of F/V (WC: AOR 1.71, 95% CI: 1.27 to 2.30; WHtR: AOR 1.46, 95% CI: 1.05 to 2.03), and being physically inactive (WC: AOR 1.63; 95% CI: 1.13 to 2.35).ConclusionsFocused interventions are needed to combat obesity while considering AO indicators and BMI to diagnose obesity in adolescents.
| S-EPMC7735131 | biostudies-literature
Project description:The Oman-United Arab Emirates ophiolite has been used extensively to document the geological processes that form oceanic crust. The geometry of the ophiolite, its extension into the Gulf of Oman, and the nature of the crust that underlies it are, however, unknown. Here, we show the ophiolite forms a high velocity, high density, >15?km thick east-dipping body that during emplacement flexed down a previously rifted continental margin thereby contributing to subsidence of flanking sedimentary basins. The western limit of the ophiolite is defined onshore by the Semail thrust while the eastern limit extends several km offshore, where it is defined seismically by a ~40-45°, east-dipping, normal fault. The fault is interpreted as the southwestern margin of an incipient suture zone that separates the Arabian plate from in situ Gulf of Oman oceanic crust and mantle presently subducting northwards beneath the Eurasian plate along the Makran trench.
| S-EPMC7260221 | biostudies-literature
Project description:PURPOSE: ACHROMATOPSIA RESULTS FROM MUTATIONS IN ONE OF THREE GENES: cyclic nucleotide-gated channel, alpha-3 (CNGA3); cyclic nucleotide-gated channel, beta-3 (CNGB3); and guanine nucleotide-binding protein, alpha-transducing activity polypeptide 2 (GNAT2). We report the responsible mutations in two United Arab Emirates families who have this autosomal recessive disease. METHODS: Clinical examinations were performed in seven patients from three nuclear families. Molecular genetic testing for common CNGA3 and CNGB3 mutations was undertaken using standard protocols. RESULTS: All patients were extremely light sensitive and had reduced visual acuity and no color perception. Fundus examinations did not show any visible abnormalities. After further pedigree analysis, two of the families were found to be linked through the paternal line. Two mutations in CNGA3 were identified: Arg283Trp and Gly397Val. Family A, the larger pedigree, had one branch in which two sisters and one brother were homozygous for the Gly397Val mutation and another branch in which a brother and sister were compound heterozygous for both aforenamed mutations. Family B, however, only had two brothers who were homozygous for the Arg283Trp mutation. CONCLUSIONS: Achromatopsia in these two United Arab Emirates families results from two different mutations in CNGA3. Two branches of the same pedigree had individuals with both homozygous and compound heterozygous disease, demonstrating a complex molecular pathology in this large family.
| S-EPMC2464613 | biostudies-literature
Project description:BackgroundComprehensive global data on the health effects of indoor air pollutants are lacking. There are few large population-based multi-air pollutant health assessments. Further, little is known about indoor air health risks in the Middle East, especially in countries undergoing rapid economic development.ObjectivesTo provide multifactorial indoor air exposure and health data, we conducted a population-based study of indoor air pollution and health in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional study in a population-based sample of 628 households in the UAE. Indoor air pollutants [sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), hydrogen sulfide (H2S), formaldehyde (HCHO), carbon monoxide (CO), and particulate matter] were measured using passive samplers over a 7-day period. Health information was collected from 1,590 household members via in-person interviews.ResultsParticipants in households with quantified SO2, NO2, and H2S (i.e., with measured concentrations above the limit of quantification) were twice as likely to report doctor-diagnosed asthma. Participants in homes with quantified SO2 were more likely to report wheezing symptoms {ever wheezing, prevalence odds ratio [POR] 1.79 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.05, 3.05]; speech-limiting wheeze, POR 3.53 (95% CI: 1.06, 11.74)}. NO2 and H2S were similarly associated with wheezing symptoms. Quantified HCHO was associated with neurologic symptoms (difficulty concentrating POR 1.47; 95% CI: 1.02, 2.13). Burning incense daily was associated with increased headaches (POR 1.87; 95% CI: 1.09, 3.21), difficulty concentrating (POR 3.08; 95% CI: 1.70, 5.58), and forgetfulness (POR 2.68: 95% CI: 1.47, 4.89).ConclusionsThis study provides new information regarding potential health risks from pollutants commonly found in indoor environments in the UAE and other countries. Multipollutant exposure and health assessments in cohort studies are needed to better characterize health effects of indoor air pollutants.
| S-EPMC3346777 | biostudies-literature
Project description:The overall objective of the current study was to investigate the behaviours and knowledge of parents/carers in relation to safe child occupant travel in the Emirate of Dubai in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). A community survey was completed by 786 participants who were responsible for the safety of 1614 children (aged 10 years and younger). The survey included questions related to the type, frequency and appropriateness of restraint use for their eldest child. Overall, 24 percent of participants reported that they 'never/almost never' restrained their eldest child while travelling in a motor vehicle, with this proportion increasing with child age. For example, though 89 percent of participants reported that they restrained their infants (<1 year) in an 'appropriate' restraint for their age, this rate was much lower for children aged between 5 and 7 years (10%). Overall, these findings suggest that a large proportion of child occupants, especially those aged five years and older, are not appropriately restrained in vehicles, and therefore are at an increased risk of death or serious injury in the event of a crash. Future research will validate this self-reported child restraint use data with objective data from observations of real-world child restraint use behaviour in the UAE.
| S-EPMC9141416 | biostudies-literature
Project description:This paper examines how personal, business, and environmental factors influence ethnic entrepreneurial success in the UAE, against the backdrop of the nation's concerted efforts to promote entrepreneurship and foreign investments in SMEs, as the means to attaining its goals of sustainable, long term economic diversification, expansion, and enhanced performance. The study adopts a mixed methods approach to investigate the key determinants of ethnic entrepreneurial success by utilizing primary quantitative data collected via a survey of 103 entrepreneurs. In addition, qualitative data is obtained from in-depth interviews of ten expatriate entrepreneurs. Whereas the quantitative results evidenced a significant impact of one personal and two business factors on ethnic entrepreneurial success in the UAE, with the environmental factors being insignificant, the qualitative results confirmed the importance of personal and business variables in achieving success, especially the role of support from ethnic groups. Further, interviewees' perceptions of the environmental factors' role were mixed, supporting the qualitative findings regarding the insignificance of these factors. Our findings are timely and beneficial for policymakers promoting ethnic entrepreneurship in the UAE and potential entrepreneurs intending to establish businesses within it. Furthermore, no previous studies have been found in the research literature regarding the factors influencing ethnic entrepreneurial success in the UAE, ranked fourth globally in the Global Entrepreneurship Index (GEI) 2020. Hence, this study's results merit policymakers' consideration regarding the adequacy and relevance of their efforts to promote startups and entrepreneurship. Entrepreneurship; Entrepreneurial success; Ethnicity; Environmental factors; Sustainability, Middle East; UAE.
| S-EPMC9218379 | biostudies-literature