Obesity and related behaviors among adolescent school boys in Abha City, Southwestern Saudi Arabia.
Using stratified sampling technique 2696 adolescent school boys (aged 11-19 years) in Abha City, Southwestern Saudi Arabia were interviewed and examined for weight and height using standardized techniques. The overall prevalence of obesity and overweight in the present study amounted to 16%. Using logistic regression analysis, lack of exercise practice in the previous week in general [aOR = 1.352, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.066-1.941] or in the class (aOR = 1.446, 95% CI = 1.083-1.931) were significantly associated with obesity. The present study showed that obesity among adolescent school boys in Abha City is a public health problem. There is a need for a national program in the country to prevent and control obesity among adolescents. The program should incorporate: dietary management of obesity, promotion of physical activity, health education campaigns and consideration of the possibility of providing facilities for practicing physical activity and exercise in the community.
Mahfouz
Ahmed A
AA
Department of Family and Community Medicine, College of Medicine, King Khalid University, Abha, Saudi Arabia. mahfouz2005@gmail.com
Abdelmoneim
Ismail
I
Khan
Mohamed Y
MY
Daffalla
Asim A
AA
Diab
Mohamed M
MM
Al-Gelban
Khalid S
KS
Moussa
Hasan
H
D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D004812:Epidemiologic Methods; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D009765:Obesity / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D050177:Overweight / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology; D015995:Prevalence; D011634:Public Health / Q000639:trends; D012307:Risk Factors; D012529:Saudi Arabia / Q000453:epidemiology; D012923:Social Class; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014505:Urban Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data