title: Prevalence and association of female weight status and dietary habits with sociodemographic factors: a cross-sectional study in Saudi Arabia.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Research about the prevalence of underweight and overweight/obesity in the Saudi Arabian female population is limited. The aim of the present study was to examine the dietary habits and the prevalence of underweight and overweight/obesity and associated factors among female university students.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional study.
  
  
  METHODS
  A university centre for female students in south-western Saudi Arabia.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study involved 663 randomly selected female university students who self-reported their physical activities, nutritional habits and socio-economic factors. Multiple linear and logistic regression analyses were used to identify factors associated with the students' BMI, dietary variables, underweight and overweight/obesity.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The majority of the university females were normal weight (56.9%), but a high prevalence of underweight (19.2%) and overweight/obesity (23.8%) occurred. Social factors significantly associated with BMI were the presence of obese parents and siblings as well as physical activity levels, marital status, number of sisters, father's level of education and more frequent intake of French fries/potato chips (>3 times/week). Several variables were found to correlate with dietary habits, underweight and overweight/obesity. Of special interest is the association between the number of siblings and the participants' BMI and dietary intake in both negative and positive ways.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The findings of this research have implications for health promotion and prevention of malnutrition among college-aged females. Health-care providers and policy makers need to involve the whole family when promoting females' physical activity. The study serves as an evidence-based background for planning and implementation of interventions targeting improvement of highly educated populations' nutritional habits.
authors.affiliation: 1The PRO-CARE Group,School of Health and Society,Kristianstad University,Elmetorpsvägen 15,SE-291 88 Kristianstad,Sweden.
authors.forename: Atika
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Khalaf
authors.affiliation: 1The PRO-CARE Group,School of Health and Society,Kristianstad University,Elmetorpsvägen 15,SE-291 88 Kristianstad,Sweden.
authors.forename: Albert
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Westergren
authors.affiliation: 2Department of Health Sciences, Medical Faculty,Lund University,Lund,Sweden.
authors.forename: Vanja
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Berggren
authors.affiliation: 3Åstrand Laboratory of Work Physiology,The Swedish School of Sport and Health Sciences,Stockholm,Sweden.
authors.forename: Örjan
authors.initials: Ö
authors.lastname: Ekblom
authors.affiliation: 4Paediatric Exercise Physiology Research Laboratory,College of Education and Obesity Research,King Saud University,Riyadh,Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: Hazzaa M
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Al-Hazzaa
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015992:Body Mass Index; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004032:Diet / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000191:economics / Q000208:ethnology; D004522:Educational Status; D005191:Family Characteristics / Q000208:ethnology; D005192:Family Health; D005220:Fathers / Q000193:education; D005247:Feeding Behavior / Q000208:ethnology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009043:Motor Activity; D050177:Overweight / Q000191:economics / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000208:ethnology / Q000209:etiology*; D015995:Prevalence; D012529:Saudi Arabia / Q000453:epidemiology; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013334:Students; D013851:Thinness / Q000191:economics / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000208:ethnology / Q000209:etiology*; D014495:Universities; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Saudi Arabia