title: Lifestyle and Dietary Behaviors among Saudi Preschool Children Attending Primary Health Care Centers, Eastern Saudi Arabia.
abstract: Objective. To study life styles and dietary behaviors among Saudi preschool children (1-5 years) attending primary health care centers (PHCCs) in Dammam and Qatif areas, eastern province, Saudi Arabia. Material and Methods. Cross-sectional study. Data were collected using structured, interviewer-filled questionnaire. Children and their mothers were encountered during their well-baby clinic visits. A total number of 300 preschool children and their mothers were interviewed during study period. Results. Unsatisfactory areas include smoking fathers (32%), smoking in front of children (11.3%), overweight and obesity among mothers (60.3%), noncompliance using seat belts for both parents (56.3%) and children (68%), children watching television (T.V) more than 2 hours (50%), adherence to exclusive breast feeding (only 20.7%), and late solid food introduction (65.3%). Frequent intake of unhealthy food items was 26%, 25%, and 24% for pizza, burger, and soft drinks. Unfortunately frequent intake of the following unhealthy food items was high: biscuits, deserts/chocolates, and chips which was 78%, 67%, and 72%, respectively. Conclusion. This study provides benchmark about the current situation. It provides health care workers and decision makers with important information that may help to improve health services.
authors.affiliation: Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Dammam, Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: Magdy A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Darwish
authors.affiliation: Qatif Primary Health Care, Ministry of Health, Eastern Province, Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: Ghadeer
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Al-Saif
authors.affiliation: Dammam Primary Health Care, Ministry of Health, Eastern Province, Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: Suha
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Albahrani
authors.affiliation: Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Dammam, Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: Amr A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Sabra
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