Descriptive Epidemiology of Sitting Time in Omani Men and Women: A Known Risk Factor for Non-Communicable Diseases

Objectives: Sedentary behaviors (too much sitting as distinct from too little exercise) are associated with increased risk of non-communicable diseases. Identifying the prevalence and sociodemographic correlates of sitting time can inform public health policy and prevention strategies. Methods: A population-based national survey was carried out among Omani adults in 2008 (n = 2 977) using the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire, which included a measure of total sitting time. Bivariate and regression analyses examined the associations of total sitting time with sociodemographic correlates (gender, age, education, work status, marital status, place of residence, and wealth). Results: The proportion who sat for ≥ 7 hours/day was significantly higher in older than in younger adults (men: 22.0% vs. 14.6%, p < 0.010; women: 26.9% vs. 15.2%, p < 0.001, respectively). The odds ratio (OR) for prolonged sitting was half for men who were not working compared to those who were (p < 0.050). For younger women, the OR for sitting ≥ 7 hours/day was nearly a third for educated women compared to least educated (p = 0.035). For older women, the OR for prolonged sitting was more than double for married women compared to unmarried (p < 0.001). Conclusions: One in five Omani adults was identified as sitting for prolonged periods, at levels understood to have deleterious health consequences. Higher-risk groups include older adults and working men. With sitting time identified as a key behavioral risk to be targeted for the prevention of non-communicable diseases, further research is needed to understand the factors associated with domain-specific sitting time in order to guide prevention programs and broader public health approaches

A critique of national physical activity policy in Oman using three established policy frameworks

Background: This paper aimed to assess the development process, content, and early implementation of Oman’s national physical activity plan of action to identify strengths and areas for improvement. Methods: Data were extracted from 4 documents: national noncommunicable diseases policy, physical activity plan of action, and 2 World Health Organization Mission Reports. Three policy frameworks and approaches (physical activity content analysis grid, health-enhancing physical activity policy audit tool, and policy cube approach for diet-related noncommunicable diseases) were used. Results: The findings demonstrated that policymakers engaged a broad range of sectors in developing a national plan. It aligned with many of the elements from the 3 policy frameworks (ie, multisectoral approach, political commitment/leadership, identification of national goals and targets, time frame for implementation). The main gaps included the lack of a specified sustainable funding mechanism, systems for monitoring progress, and an emphasis on general interventions, with limited focus on specific target groups. Conclusion: A range of sectors were engaged in the development of Oman’s national physical activity plan of action, with strong political commitment and using global guidance and local evidence. Establishing a strong accountability framework, including a clear financing mechanism, is critical for Oman to meet its target for a 10% relative reduction in physical inactivity by 2025

Correlates of Omani adults' physical inactivity and sitting time

Objective: To inform public health approaches for chronic disease prevention, the present study identified sociodemographic, anthropometric and behavioural correlates of work, transport and leisure physical inactivity and sitting time among adults in Oman

Randomised open-label trial of docosahexaenoic acid-enriched fish oil and fish meal on cognitive and behavioural functioning in Omani children

Objective: Examine the effect of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) enriched fish oil supplement and fish meal on cognitive and behavioural functioning manifested as attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in primary school students (9-10 years old) in Muscat, Oman. Methods: Randomised open-label trial involving two types of intervention: fish oil supplement or one serving (100 gram) of fish per weekday for 12 weeks. Red cell total lipid docosahexaenoic acid levels were assessed. Verbal Fluency Test, Buschke Selective Reminding Test, and Trail Making Test were used to measure cognitive functioning. Behavioural functioning was assessed using a standardised Arabic version of the National Initiative for Children’s Health Quality Vanderbilt Assessment Scales. All measurements were carried out before and after intervention. Results: DHA levels increased by 72% and 64% in fish oil (Mean: 3.6% to 6.2%) and fish meal (Mean: 3.4% to 5.6%) group, respectively (p=0.000). The Trail Making Test was the only cognitive test that demonstrated marked differences between groups: median inter-quartile range difference between pre and post intervention in the Trail Making Part B score was 61.5 (SE: 19.3, 103.2) in the fish oil vs. Fish meal group, 24.5 (SE: -15.2, 74.7, p=0.005). The Vanderbilt Assessment Scales also showed significant differences between groups (p<0.001). Conclusion: This study contributes to available evidence on the cognitive and behavioural benefits of DHA in healthy school children. Consideration should be made to expand the food fortification programme as part of broader policy to improve child health

Exploring adults’ experiences of sedentary behaviour and participation in nonworkplace interventions designed to reduce sedentary behaviour: a thematic synthesis of qualitative studies

Background: Sedentary behaviour is any waking behaviour characterised by an energy expenditure of ≤1.5 metabolic equivalent of task while in a sitting or reclining posture. Prolonged bouts of sedentary behaviour have been associated with negative health outcomes in all age groups. We examined qualitative research investigating perceptions and experiences of sedentary behaviour and of participation in non-workplace interventions designed to reduce sedentary behaviour in adult populations. Method: A systematic search of seven databases (MEDLINE, AMED, Cochrane, PsychINFO, SPORTDiscus, CINAHL and Web of Science) was conducted in September 2017. Studies were assessed for methodological quality and a thematic synthesis was conducted. Prospero database ID: CRD42017083436. Results: Thirty individual studies capturing the experiences of 918 individuals were included. Eleven studies examined experiences and/or perceptions of sedentary behaviour in older adults (typically ≥60 years); ten studies focused on sedentary behaviour in people experiencing a clinical condition, four explored influences on sedentary behaviour in adults living in socio-economically disadvantaged communities, two examined university students’ experiences of sedentary behaviour, two on those of working-age adults, and one focused on cultural influences on sedentary behaviour. Three analytical themes were identified: 1) the impact of different life stages on sedentary behaviour 2) lifestyle factors influencing sedentary behaviour and 3) barriers and facilitators to changing sedentary behaviour. Conclusions: Sedentary behaviour is multifaceted and influenced by a complex interaction between individual, environmental and socio-cultural factors. Micro and macro pressures are experienced at different life stages and in the context of illness; these shape individuals’ beliefs and behaviour related to sedentariness. Knowledge of sedentary behaviour and the associated health consequences appears limited in adult populations, therefore there is a need for provision of accessible information about ways in which sedentary behaviour reduction can be integrated in people’s daily lives. Interventions targeting a reduction in sedentary behaviour need to consider the multiple influences on sedentariness when designing and implementing interventions

Worldwide surveillance of self-reported sitting time: a scoping review

Abstract: Background: Prolonged sitting time is a risk factor for chronic disease, yet recent global surveillance is not well described. The aims were to clarify: (i) the countries that have collected country-level data on self-reported sitting time; (ii) the single-item tools used to collect these data; and (iii) the duration of sitting time reported across low- to high-income countries. Methods: Country-level data collected within the last 10 years using single-item self-report were included. The six-stage methodology: (1) reviewing Global Observatory for Physical Activity! Country Cards; (2–4) country-specific searches of PubMed, the Demographic and Health Survey website and Google; (5) analysing the Eurobarometer 88.4; and (6) country-specific searches for World Health Organization STEPwise reports. Results: A total of 7641 records were identified and screened for eligibility. Sixty-two countries (29%) reported sitting time representing 47% of the global adult population. The majority of data were from high-income (61%) and middle income (29%) countries. The tools used were the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ; n = 34), a modified IPAQ (n = 1) or the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire (GPAQ; n = 27). The median of mean daily sitting times was 4.7 (IQR: 3.5–5.1) hours across all countries. Higher-income countries recorded a longer duration of sitting time than lower-income countries (4.9 vs 2.7 h). Conclusions: This study provides an updated collation of countries collecting self-reported sitting time data. The daily sitting time findings should be interpreted cautiously. Current surveillance of sitting time is limited by a lack of coverage. Measures of population sitting time that are valid, feasible and sensitive to change should be embedded within global surveillance systems, to help guide future policy, research and practice. Trial registration: Not applicable

Tobacco Control in Oman: It’s Time to Get Serious!

Tobacco use is the world’s leading cause of preventable morbidity and mortality. Although Oman remains a country with the lowest tobacco use in the Arab Gulf States, the prevalence of tobacco use is projected to increase to 33.3% by 2025. In 2005, Oman acceded to the World Health Organization’s Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, an international treaty with numerous obligations aiming to reduce the global burden of tobacco use. This paper documents, for the first time, Oman’s experience in tobacco control by providing a descriptive analysis of the evolution of tobacco control policies in relation to the country’s international obligations. In order to curb tobacco use and maintain current low prevalence levels, the paper concludes that Oman needs to accelerate action in adopting the highest attainable policies recommended by the World Health Organization’s MPOWER package

Interventions and Programs to Promote Breastfeeding in Arabic-Speaking Countries: A Scoping Review

Introduction Low prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding in the Arab world is concerning and suboptimal breastfeeding is a leading child health risk factor in several Arab States. Breastfeeding education has the capacity to improve breastfeeding knowledge and practice, thus positively impacting infant and maternal health. The purpose of this review is to identify and examine the impact of breastfeeding promotion interventions across the Arab world. Method A scoping review of the literature was conducted across seventeen databases for relevant publications published through October 2021 to find studies in Arab countries, that involved breastfeeding as an intervention component. Twenty-one articles met inclusion criteria and were reviewed. Results Individual and community based educational interventions offer the opportunity to positively impact the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of breastfeeding in new mothers in Arab countries. Increased breastfeeding has the potential to lead to improved neonate and maternal health. In addition to significant benefits found across individual and community-based interventions in a variety of Arab countries, there is also evidence that interventions that improve the knowledge of health care professionals and/or the practices of a health care system can contribute to subsequent increases in breastfeeding rates. Discussion Breastfeeding education is a low-cost and high-impact public health tool that can impact infant and maternal health and potentially increase breastfeeding adherence in the Arab world