title: Activity, inactivity and quality of life among Lebanese adolescents.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aim of the present study was to investigate recent overweight and obesity prevalence rates for Lebanese adolescents, and to examine differences in physical activity, screen time (sum of time spent in front of TV, computer, and videogames), and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) for the first time among normal, overweight, and obese adolescents.
  
  
  METHODS
  One thousand Lebanese adolescents (14-18 years old) from nine schools participated in the study. Height, weight, physical activity, screen time, and HRQOL variables were assessed using validated self-report questionnaires.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 7.8% of boys and 1.75% of girls were obese, and 22.5% of boys and 12.47% of girls were overweight. Normal-weight boys reported higher physical activity scores at health clubs than obese boys. Normal-weight girls reported higher leisure time and total physical activity scores than obese girls. In the normal-weight group, boys reported higher total screen time than girls. Normal-weight boys reported higher physical functioning scores than their obese peers. Normal-weight girls reported higher physical functioning and average HRQOL scores than obese girls. Normal-weight and overweight boys reported higher average HRQOL scores than girls.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The present study is the first to provide data on physical activity, screen time, and HRQOL among Lebanese adolescents. Despite the need for further research, all those concerned with the pediatric population are urged to develop and implement effective strategies to increase physical activity and improve HRQOL among adolescents based on the present findings.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Physiology and Biomechanics of Motor Performance, Division of Physical Education, University of Balamand, Tripoli, Lebanon. abdallah.fazah@balamand.edu.lb
authors.forename: Abdallah
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Fazah
authors.forename: Christophe
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Jacob
authors.forename: Elie
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Moussa
authors.forename: Rawad
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: El-Hage
authors.forename: Hala
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Youssef
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Delamarche
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007861:Lebanon / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D009765:Obesity / Q000453:epidemiology; D050177:Overweight / Q000453:epidemiology*; D011788:Quality of Life; D011998:Recreation; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires