Anthropometric measurements and dietary habits of schoolchildren in Qatar.
BACKGROUND
Very little is known about the anthropometric measurements and dietary habits of children in the Arabian Gulf in general, and in Qatar in particular.


OBJECTIVE
To conduct anthropometrics measurements on schoolchildren in Qatar and to explore their dietary habits.


METHODS
A cross-sectional study was carried out, targeting 271 (124 male and 147 female) primary school students.


RESULTS
Using the body mass index as the index of adiposity, 54.8% and 23.1% of Grade One male and female children were underweight, 3.2% and 8.8% were overweight, and 1.6% and 5.4% were obese, respectively. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner were eaten by 65%, 86%, and 87% on a daily basis. Anthropometric measurements differed significantly (P < 0.05) between genders and the other children of the National Center for Health Statistics population.


CONCLUSIONS
schoolchildren in Qatar may be considered as having less overweight and obesity occurrence than most children in the Gulf.
Qotba
Hamda
H
Nutrition Unit, Preventive Medicine Department, MOH, Qatar.
Al-Isa
Abdulwahab Naser
AN
D050154:Adiposity; D015992:Body Mass Index; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011780:Qatar; D017678:Sex Distribution; D012885:Skinfold Thickness