Dietary and Activity Habits in Adolescents Living in the United Arab Emirates: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background: The Global School Health Survey 2010 reported that 40% of pupils aged 12-15 years are overweight or obese; double what was reported in 2005. Following such concerns the government introduced mandatory school health education sessions to students, and produced strict guidelines on school food and drink provision (September 2011). The aim of this survey was to obtain information about adolescents’ dietary and activity habits, and their association with the increased prevalence of obesity.Methods: A cross-sectional study of 1,022 students (539 boys; 483 girls) aged 12-16 years, from 17 government schools in Dubai, UAE. Dietary practices and physical activity was collected using a short self-completed questionnaire.Results: Non-Emirati pupils, especially the girls appear to eat more healthily than their Emirati counterparts. Overall, 16% of students reported never eating breakfast, 31% reported drinking sugar sweetened beverages everyday 18% said they never drank milk and 15% never ate fruits. 67% reported buying food from school every day; Emiratis spending more than non-Emiratis. 37% of pupils reported exercising or playing sport daily, whereas 60% reported they daily watch more than 2 hours of TV.Conclusion: Despite the recent changes in school policies, pupils are still failing to eat a healthy diet and engage in physical activity. There needs to be further interventions promoting changes in lifestyle amongst adolescents, and enhancing provision of healthy food in schools to be more appealing to students

Bullying in Schools in the United Arab Emirates and the Personal Safety of Students

© 2018, Springer Nature B.V. Although considerable research has been directed towards understanding and addressing bullying in schools in western countries, comparatively little has been undertaken in Arab countries. This article provides the first detailed examination of the nature and prevalence of peer victimisation and bullying behaviour among students in Grades 6 to 9 in 20 schools in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Questionnaires designed to assess the prevalence of different forms of bullying, as experienced by students and as perpetrated by their peers, were answered anonymously by 841 boys and 938 girls. In addition, questions were asked on how often students engaged in pro-social behaviour at school and how safe they felt when they were at their school. Approximately 16% of students reported that they usually or never felt safe at school. Boys were significantly more likely to experience and perpetrate all forms of bullying. No significant gender differences were found with respect to acting in general more pro-socially or in feeling unsafe. Results from regression analyses employing multi-item measures of (i) victimisation and (ii) bullying others, independently predicted students reporting feeling less safe, after controlling for gender and grade level. Students reporting relatively high levels of pro-social behaviour also reported significantly higher level of safety. Implication of these findings for increasing the safety of students in the UAE schools are discussed

Prevalence of Bullying Behaviors Among Students From a National University in the United Arab Emirates: A Cross-Sectional Study

This study aims to investigate bullying behaviors among college students at one of the national universities in UAE, and also to examine the psychological characteristics of those who were exposed to, or have experienced bullying. A cross-sectional study was conducted on 839 undergraduate students at one of the national universities in the UAE. Students from all colleges participated in this study and were selected by using stratified random sampling. Participants completed a bullying survey designed for the study, in addition to three psychological measures [i.e., Aggression Questionnaire, Buss and Perry, 1992; The Primary Care Anxiety and Depression, El-Rufaie et al., 1997; and the Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-Fifth Edition (PCL-5), Weathers et al., 2013]. The prevalence rate of students being exposed to or engaged in bullying was 26.3% (221 out of 839). Of those, 72 students (8.7%) reported being bullied, 29 (3.6%) reported bullying others, and 185 (22.8%) reported witnessing friends being bullied. The most common types of bullying reported were traditional bullying (e.g., face-to-face bullying, verbal, and physical). Cyberbullying was not very common. More females reported being bullied in comparison to males and most of the aggressors were peer students. Overall, moderate level of aggressive personality traits and low levels of symptoms of depression, anxiety, and PTSD were reported for the total sample. T-tests revealed significant differences in the three psychological measures between those who did not experience bullying and those who did. The mean scores on the Aggression Questionnaire for those who bullied others were significantly higher than those who did not experience bullying. Experiences of bullying seem to impact college students’ mental health in the UAE. Therefore, efforts need to focus on developing preventive programs to increase students’ awareness of bullying and its negative impact on campus environment. Offering psychological help for those who were exposed to bullying would help them to deal effectively with this trauma

Caffeine consumption among Zayed University students in Dubai, United Arab Emirates: A cross-sectional study

Background: Over the past decade, the global caffeine consumption rate has increased dramatically. Coffee and tea are among the common sources, but energy drinks are becoming an important contributor to total caffeine consumption. Recommendations for daily caffeine intake is not being followed due to the perceived benefits of caffeine which include mood improvement, concentration, social factors, and energy boosting. This study was important to add to the limited data about caffeine consumption in the Gulf region and mainly in the UAE. Objectives : The objectives were to determine the prevalence of caffeinated beverage consumption among university students and perceived benefits in addition to the estimation of daily caffeine consumption (mg/day). Design: Data was collected through a self-reported questionnaire from a total of 175 participants (129 females and 46 males) who were conveniently selected from different settings at Zayed University - Dubai. Usual Caffeine intake was calculated from all caffeine containing beverages.  Results: Eighty-six percent of the 175 participants, both males and females, at Zayed University-Dubai consumed caffeinated beverages with an average intake of 249.7±235.9 mg. The intake among the 150 caffeine consumers varied from 4.2 mg/day to 932.2 mg/day. Average intake of caffeine was not significantly different between genders (P=0.125). Thirty-five percent of the population consumed more than 400 mg/day of caffeine, with no statistical difference between males and females (P=0.202). Coffee was the most commonly consumed drink among both genders, followed by tea. Most perceived benefits of caffeine consumption were not significantly different except for the relationship between caffeine and improved exercise performance (P=0.018) and caffeine in relation to weight loss (P=0.001) among males. Conclusion: The prevalence of caffeine consumption at Zayed University was high among both males and females. Further research is necessary to estimate the total caffeine intake from all dietary sources, mainly the cultural foods and beverages, and to determine the relationship between accessibility to caffeine containing beverages and caffeine consumption among University student

Caffeine Consumption among Zayed University Students in Dubai, United Arab Emirates: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background: Over the past decade, the global caffeine consumption rate has increased dramatically. Coffee and tea are among the common sources, but energy drinks are becoming an important contributor to total caffeine consumption. Recommendations for daily caffeine intake is not being followed due to the perceived benefits of caffeine which include mood improvement, concentration, social factors, and energy boosting. This study was important to add to the limited data about caffeine consumption in the Gulf region and mainly in the UAE.Objectives: The objectives were to determine the prevalence of caffeinated beverage consumption among university students and perceived benefits in addition to the estimation of daily caffeine consumption (mg/day).Design: Data was collected through a self-reported questionnaire from a total of 175 participants (129 females and 46 males) who were conveniently selected from different settings at Zayed University - Dubai. Usual Caffeine intake was calculated from all caffeine containing beverages.  Results: Eighty-six percent of the 175 participants, both males and females, at Zayed University-Dubai consumed caffeinated beverages with an average intake of 249.7±235.9 mg. The intake among the 150 caffeine consumers varied from 4.2 mg/day to 932.2 mg/day. Average intake of caffeine was not significantly different between genders (P=0.125). Thirty-five percent of the population consumed more than 400 mg/day of caffeine, with no statistical difference between males and females (P=0.202). Coffee was the most commonly consumed drink among both genders, followed by tea. Most perceived benefits of caffeine consumption were not significantly different except for the relationship between caffeine and improved exercise performance (P=0.018) and caffeine in relation to weight loss (P=0.001) among males.Conclusion: The prevalence of caffeine consumption at Zayed University was high among both males and females. Further research is necessary to estimate the total caffeine intake from all dietary sources, mainly the cultural foods and beverages, and to determine the relationship between accessibility to caffeine containing beverages and caffeine consumption among University student

Assessing knowledge of, and attitudes to, HIV/AIDS among university students in the United Arab Emirates

© 2016 Haroun et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited. Background: The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region is among the top two regions in the world with the fastest growing HIV epidemic. In this context, risks and vulnerability are high as the epidemic is on the rise with evidence indicating significantly increasing HIV prevalence, new HIV infections and AIDS-related deaths. Objective: The aim of the survey was to assess HIV/AIDS knowledge and attitudes related to HIV/ AIDS among a wide group of university students in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Methods: In a cross-sectional survey, a total sample of 2,294 students (406 male; 1,888 female) from four universities in three different Emirates in the UAE were approached to take part in the study. Students self-completed a questionnaire that was designed to measure their knowledge and attitudes to HIV/AIDS. Results: The overall average knowledge score of HIV.AIDS was 61%. Non-Emirati and postgraduates demonstrated higher levels of knowledge compared to Emirati and undergraduate students respectively. No significant differences between males and females; and marital status were found. Eighty-five percent of students expressed negative attitudes towards people living with HIV, with Emirati and single students significantly holding more negative attitudes compared to non-Emiratis and those that are married respectively. Conclusions: The findings provide strong evidence that there is a need to advocate for appropriate National HIV/AIDS awareness raising campaigns in universities to reduce the gaps in knowledge and decrease stigmatizing attitudes towards people living with HIV/AIDS

Urinary minerals excretion among primary schoolchildren in Dubai—United Arab Emirates

INTRODUCTION: Urinary excretion of calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), phosphorus (P), iodine and fluoride is used to assess their statuses and/or the existence of metabolic abnormalities. In the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the urinary concentration of these minerals among children have not been documented. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study, including 593 subjects (232 boys and 361 girls), was conducted among healthy 6 to 11-year-old Emirati children living in Dubai. Non-fasting morning urine samples and anthropometrical measurements were collected and analyzed. Results were expressed as per mg of creatinine (Cr). RESULTS: On average, estimated Cr excretion was 17.88±3.12 mg/kg/d. Mean urinary Ca/Cr, Mg/Cr and P/Cr excretions were 0.08±0.07 mg/mg, 0.09±0.04 mg/mg, and 0.57±0.26 mg/mg respectively. Urinary excretion of Ca, Mg and P were found to decrease as age increased. Urinary excretion and predicted intake of fluoride were lower than 0.05 mg/kg body weight per day. Surprisingly, more than 50% of the children were found to have urinary iodine excretion level above adequate. CONCLUSION: The Emirati schoolchildren had comparable levels of urinary Ca, Mg and P excretion to other countries. The 95% percentile allows the use of the current data as a reference value for the detection of mineral abnormalities. Fluoride excretion implies that Emirati children are at low risk of fluorosis. The level of urinary iodine excretion is slightly higher than recommended and requires close monitoring of the process of salt iodization to avoid the harmful impact of iodine overconsumption

Development and validation of a prediction model for fat mass in children and adolescents: Meta-analysis using individual participant data

© Published by the BMJ Publishing Group Limited. For permission to use (where not already granted under a licence) please go to. To develop and validate a prediction model for fat mass in children aged 4-15 years using routinely available risk factors of height, weight, and demographic information without the need for more complex forms of assessment. Design Individual participant data meta-analysis. Setting Four population based cross sectional studies and a fifth study for external validation, United Kingdom. Participants A pooled derivation dataset (four studies) of 2375 children and an external validation dataset of 176 children with complete data on anthropometric measurements and deuterium dilution assessments of fat mass. Main outcome measure Multivariable linear regression analysis, using backwards selection for inclusion of predictor variables and allowing non-linear relations, was used to develop a prediction model for fat-free mass (and subsequently fat mass by subtracting resulting estimates from weight) based on the four studies. Internal validation and then internal-external cross validation were used to examine overfitting and generalisability of the model\u27s predictive performance within the four development studies; external validation followed using the fifth dataset. Results Model derivation was based on a multi-ethnic population of 2375 children (47.8% boys, n=1136) aged 4-15 years. The final model containing predictor variables of height, weight, age, sex, and ethnicity had extremely high predictive ability (optimism adjusted R 2: 94.8%, 95% confidence interval 94.4% to 95.2%) with excellent calibration of observed and predicted values. The internal validation showed minimal overfitting and good model generalisability, with excellent calibration and predictive performance. External validation in 176 children aged 11-12 years showed promising generalisability of the model (R 2: 90.0%, 95% confidence interval 87.2% to 92.8%) with good calibration of observed and predicted fat mass (slope: 1.02, 95% confidence interval 0.97 to 1.07). The mean difference between observed and predicted fat mass was -1.29 kg (95% confidence interval -1.62 to -0.96 kg). Conclusion The developed model accurately predicted levels of fat mass in children aged 4-15 years. The prediction model is based on simple anthropometric measures without the need for more complex forms of assessment and could improve the accuracy of assessments for body fatness in children (compared with those provided by body mass index) for effective surveillance, prevention, and management of clinical and public health obesity

Body-mass index adjustments to increase the validity of body fatness assessment in UK black African and South Asian children: a cross-sectional calibration study

BackgroundExcess childhood body fatness, overweightness, and obesity are a major public health challenge in the UK. Accurate assessments, usually based on body-mass index (BMI), are crucial. However, recent studies have demonstrated that BMI underestimates body fatness in South Asian children and overestimates it in black African children. These errors are a concern in these ethnic minority populations, particularly UK South Asians, who are at high risk of obesity, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. We aimed to develop BMI adjustments for these children to ensure that BMI relates to body fatness in the same way as for white European children.MethodsFour recent UK population-based studies, which used deuterium dilution assessments of fat mass as a reference method, were pooled to include 1725 children (52% girls) aged 4–12 years (mean 9·3, SD 1·6) of white European, South Asian, and black African origins. A height-standardised fat-mass index (FMI) was derived to represent body fatness. Linear regression models were fitted, separately by sex, to quantify ethnic differences in BMI–FMI associations and to provide ethnic-specific BMI adjustments.FindingsThe FMI derived for this study population and used in analyses was fat mass/height5, which was independent of height for the 4–12-year age-group. BMI consistently underestimated body fatness in South Asians, requiring a BMI adjustment of +1·12 kg/m2 (95% CI 0·83–1·41) for boys and +1·07 (0·74–1·39) for girls, irrespective of age and FMI. BMI overestimated body fatness in black Africans. However, adjustments for black African children were more complex, with statistically significant interactions between black African ethnicity and FMI (p=0·004 boys, p=0·003 girls) and between FMI and age-group (p\u3c0·0001 boys and girls). BMI adjustments therefore varied by age-group and FMI level, between −0·24 and −2·84 kg/m2 for boys and between −0·22 and −2·86 kg/m2 for girls for unadjusted BMI values of 13 kg/m2 in 10–12 year-olds and 25 kg/m2 in 4–6 year-olds, respectively.InterpretationBMI underestimated body fatness in South Asians and overestimated it in black Africans. Ethnic-specific adjustments—increasing BMI in South Asians and reducing BMI in black Africans—can improve the accuracy of body fatness assessment in these children.FundingThis work was supported by the British Heart Foundation (grant ref PG/15/19/31336) and National Institute for Health Research Collaboration for Leadership in Applied Health Research and Care (South London) (grant ref CLAHRC-2013-10022). Primary data collection was funded by the British Heart Foundation (PG/11/42/28895), BUPA Foundation (TBF-S09-019), Child Growth Foundation (GR 10/03), and Wellcome Trust (WT094129MA). MF is supported by Great Ormond Street Hospital Childrens\u27 Charity

Body-composition reference data for simple and reference techniques and a 4-component model: A new UK reference child

Background: A routine pediatric clinical assessment of body composition is increasingly recommended but has long been hampered by the following 2 factors: a lack of appropriate techniques and a lack of reference data with which to interpret individual measurements. Several techniques have become available, but reference data are needed. Objective: We aimed to provide body-composition reference data for use in clinical practice and research. Design: Body composition was measured by using a gold standard 4-component model, along with various widely used reference and bedside methods, in a large, representative sample of British children aged from 4 to ≥20 y. Measurements were made of anthropometric variables (weight, height, 4 skinfold thicknesses, and waist girth), dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, body density, bioelectrical impedance, and total body water, and 4-component fat and fat-free masses were calculated. Reference charts and SD scores (SDSs) were constructed for each outcome by using the lambda-mu-sigma method. The same outcomes were generated for the fat-free mass index and fat mass index. Results: Body-composition growth charts and SDSs for 5-20 y were based on a final sample of 533 individuals. Correlations between SDSs by using different techniques were ≥0.68 for adiposity outcomes and ≥0.80 for fat-free mass outcomes. Conclusions: These comprehensive reference data for pediatric body composition can be used across a variety of techniques. Together with advances in measurement technologies, the data should greatly enhance the ability of clinicians to assess and monitor body composition in routine clinical practice and should facilitate the use of body-composition measurements in research studies. © 2012 American Society for Nutrition