title: Nutrition, physical activity, and gender risks for adolescent obesity in Southwestern Saudi Arabia.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of the study was to investigate gender differences in obesity and related behavior among adolescent school boys and girls in southwestern Saudi Arabia.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional study on a stratified sample of 1,249 adolescent boys and 620 adolescent girls, was conducted in southwestern Saudi Arabia. They were interviewed and examined for weight and height using standardized techniques.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The prevalence of obesity and overweight in the present study amounted to 23.2% among boys and 29.4% among girls. The following significant risk factors were identified; being a female [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) =1.372, 95% confidence interval (CI) =1.099-1.753] and lack of class physical exercise (aOR =1.452, 95% CI =1.149-2.117).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Obesity among adolescents is a public health problem in Southwestern Saudi Arabia. The problem is more prevalent among girls. Thus, there is a need for a national programme in the country to prevent and control obesity among adolescents.
authors.affiliation: Department of Family and Community Medicine, College of Medicine, King Khalid University, Abha, Saudi Arabia. mahfouz2005@gmail.com
authors.forename: Ahmed A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Mahfouz
authors.forename: Abdullah S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Shatoor
authors.forename: Mohamed Y
authors.initials: MY
authors.lastname: Khan
authors.forename: Asim A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Daffalla
authors.forename: Osama A
authors.initials: OA
authors.lastname: Mostafa
authors.forename: Mervat A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Hassanein
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D015992:Body Mass Index; D001835:Body Weight; D002648:Child; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009043:Motor Activity; D009752:Nutritional Status; D009765:Obesity / Q000453:epidemiology*; D016017:Odds Ratio; D015995:Prevalence; D011634:Public Health; D018570:Risk Assessment / Q000379:methods*; D012307:Risk Factors; D012529:Saudi Arabia / Q000453:epidemiology; D017678:Sex Distribution; D012737:Sex Factors; D055815:Young Adult