title: Obesity associated behavior in adolescents of private schools in Lebanon.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Since adolescence obesity is becoming an international concern, our objective was to evaluate obesity-related behavior in Lebanese adolescents.
  
  
  METHODS
  We performed a cross-sectional study in 19 Lebanese private schools, using a random multistage cluster sampling process. Dietary and physical activity behaviors were assessed in 1933 adolescents aged 12 to 18 years, stressing on differences between boys and girls and obesity categories.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We found that boys were more obese than girls (72% versus 3.7% ; p < 0.001); they were less likely to adopt dietary behaviors that maintain or increase weight, such as eating lighter food (13.1% versus 20.9% ; p < 0.001). However, girls were less likely to perform physical activity (81% versus 71%; p < 0.001). Our results are similar to those of other researchers.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In this sample of Lebanese adolescents, dietary and physical activity behaviors differed between boys and girls ; these differences could explain their obesity rates. Educational and participative scholar interventions are necessary to induce changes in adolescents' behavior, stressing on physical activity for girls and healthier eating for boys.
authors: Lebanese University, Faculty of Public Health, Section II, Fanar, Lebanon. psalameh@ul.edu.lb
authors: Pascale
authors: P
authors: Salameh
authors: Bernadette
authors: B
authors: Barbour
authors: Carine
authors: C
authors: Issa
authors: Samar
authors: S
authors: Rachidi
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004032:Diet; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D007861:Lebanon; D008297:Male; D009043:Motor Activity; D009765:Obesity / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D012737:Sex Factors