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Cross-Cultural Variation in BMI, Sedentary Behavior, and Physical Activity in International School Girls Residing in Saudi Arabia.

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.

SUBMITTER: Alhusaini AA

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7142904 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Cross-Cultural Variation in BMI, Sedentary Behavior, and Physical Activity in International School Girls Residing in Saudi Arabia.

Alhusaini Adel A AA Melam Ganeswara Rao GR Buragadda Syamala S

International journal of environmental research and public health 20200320 6

<h4>Background</h4>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.<h4>Methods</h4>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 s ...[more]

PMID: 32244890

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Project description:BackgroundIn Saudi Arabia, stay-at-home orders to address the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic between March 15 and 23, 2020 and eased on May 28, 2020. We conducted a scoping review to systematically describe physical activity and sedentary behavior in Saudi Arabia associated with the timing of the lockdown.MethodsWe searched six databases on December 13, 2021 for articles published in English or Arabic from 2018 to the search date. Studies must have reported data from Saudi Arabia for any age and measured physical activity or sedentary behavior.ResultsOverall, 286 records were found; after excluding duplicates, 209 records were screened, and 19 studies were included in the review. Overall, 15 studies were cross-sectional, and 4 studies were prospective cohorts. Three studies included children and adolescents (age: 2-18 years), and 16 studies included adults (age: 15-99 years). Data collection periods were < = 5 months, with 17 studies collecting data in 2020 only, one study in 2020-2021, and one study in 2021. The median analytic sample size was 363 (interquartile range 262-640). Three studies of children/adolescents collected behaviors online at one time using parental reporting, with one also allowing self-reporting. All three studies found that physical activity was lower during and/or following the lockdown than before the lockdown. Two studies found screen time, television watching, and playing video games were higher during or following the lockdown than before the lockdown. Sixteen adult studies assessed physical activity, with 15 utilizing self-reporting and one using accelerometry. Physical activity, exercise, walking, and park visits were all lower during or following the lockdown than before the lockdown. Six adult studies assessed sedentary behavior using self-report. Sitting time (4 studies) and screen time (2 studies) were higher during or following the lockdown than before the lockdown.ConclusionsAmong children, adolescents, and adults, studies consistently indicated that in the short-term, physical activity decreased and sedentary behavior increased in conjunction with the movement restrictions. Given the widespread impact of the pandemic on other health behaviors, it would be important to continue tracking behaviors post-lockdown and identify subpopulations that may not have returned to their physical activity and sedentary behavior to pre-pandemic levels to focus on intervention efforts.

Project description:BackgroundExisting sedentary behaviour guidelines for children and youth target overall sedentary behaviour and recreational screen time, without any specific recommendations regarding school-related sedentary behaviours (i.e., sedentary behaviours performed during the school day, or within the influence of school). The purpose of this paper is to describe the development of international evidence-based recommendations for school-related sedentary behaviours for children and youth, led by the Sedentary Behaviour Research Network (SBRN).MethodsA panel of international experts was convened by SBRN in November 2020 to guide the development of these recommendations for children and youth aged ~ 5-18 years. The recommendations were informed by 1) age-relevant existing sedentary behaviour guidelines, 2) published research on the relationship between overall sedentary behaviour and health, 3) a de novo systematic review on the relationship between school-related sedentary behaviours and health and/or academic outcomes, and 4) a de novo environmental scan of the grey literature to identify existing recommendations for school-related sedentary behaviours. Draft recommendations were presented to the Expert Panel in June 2021. Following thorough discussion and modifications, updated recommendations were distributed for stakeholder feedback from July 9-26. Feedback was received from 148 stakeholders across 23 countries, leading to additional updates to the recommendations. Following further rounds of discussion and updates with the Expert Panel in August and September 2021, consensus was achieved on the final recommendations.ResultsA healthy day includes breaking up extended periods of sedentary behaviour and incorporating different types of movement into homework whenever possible, while limiting sedentary homework. School-related screen time should be meaningful, mentally or physically active, and serve a specific pedagogical purpose that enhances learning. Replacing sedentary learning activities with movement-based learning activities, and replacing screen-based learning activities with non-screen-based learning activities, can further support students' health and wellbeing.DiscussionThis paper presents the first evidence-based recommendations for school-related sedentary behaviours for children and youth. These recommendations will support the work of parents, caregivers, educators, school system administrators, policy makers, researchers and healthcare providers interested in promoting student health and academic success.

Project description:BackgroundSaudi Arabia is continuously working on developing its health care system, however with the high prevalence of type 2 diabetes and comorbidities, such as cardiovascular diseases, self-management education programmes are essential. As part of a planned series of studies to develop a culturally sensitive type 2 diabetes self-management programme, this study explores the need versus barriers and facilitators relevant to implementing a national programme for type 2 diabetes self-management education within the community and health care system in Saudi Arabia.MethodsA qualitative methodology was used to explore the views of a multidisciplinary group of diabetes health professionals and adult patients with type 2 diabetes. The views of nine health professionals working at a specialised diabetes care centre were gathered at two focus groups (four and five) that included doctors, nutritionists, health educators and nurses. Individual interviews with 12 patients with type 2 diabetes (six females and six males) attending the centre were also carried out. Recurring themes through the translated transcripts were studied and treated by the research group under pre-set protocols.ResultsFocus groups with health professionals revealed three main themes. 1. Resources: availability of resources and how they impacted on performance and patients' care; 2.Familiarity with self-management education programmes: educating patients and raising awareness among them; and 3. Lifestyle: patients' lifestyle and how it could affect their compliance with self-management programmes. Interviews with patients also revealed three main themes. 1. Habits: post diagnosis changes in patients' attitudes and behaviours towards diet and physical activity; 2. Health education: awareness of managing type 2 diabetes through health centre advice or self-education; and 3. Culture and society: a lack of cultural or social support created by some social practices or conventions.ConclusionThe findings from this study highlight a gap in type 2 diabetes care system that can be breached through the development of a Saudi specific self-management programme for type 2 diabetes. The identified barriers and facilitators can be used for adapting a self-management programme to the Saudi context. However, initial training is needed for local health professionals to understand the mechanisms of self-management programmes. Such programmes will need to infiltrate to the society, and the patients' families, in particular to tackle the rising prevalence of type 2 diabetes in Saudi Arabia and provide a friendlier, more supportive environment for the current patients to self-manage their diabetes.

Dataset Information

Cross-Cultural Variation in BMI, Sedentary Behavior, and Physical Activity in International School Girls Residing in Saudi Arabia.

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Cross-Cultural Variation in BMI, Sedentary Behavior, and Physical Activity in International School Girls Residing in Saudi Arabia.

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