Eating Habits and Lifestyles among a Sample of Obese Working Egyptian Women

BACKGROUND: The fundamental cause of obesity and overweight is an energy imbalance between calories consumed and calories expended.AIM: To figure out food habits and different lifestyle pattern among a sample of Egyptian females working at the National Research Centre.METHODS: A cross-sectional, descriptive study, including 138 overweight and obese Egyptian females (BMI ≥ 25 Kg/m2); working at the National Research Centre; was done. A specific questionnaire was used to gather information regarding lifestyle including dietary habits, physical activity and sedentary behaviour. RESULTS: The prevalence of overweight among the studied subjects was 27%, while that of obesity was 38%. Missing and or infrequent intake of breakfast at home, frequent consumption of snacks, low serving per day of fruits and vegetables with frequent consumption of sweets, fried food, eating while watching TV and sedentary behaviour were all predictors of obesity and overweight among the current sample.CONCLUSION: The present study identified several lifestyle factors and improper dietary habits associated with overweight and obesity among Egyptian females. There is a great need to change these habits to avoid the increasing risk of obesity. A national plan of action to overcome obesity is urgently needed to reduce its economic and health burden

Dietary Behaviour Pattern and Physical Activity in Overweight and Obese Egyptian Mothers: Relationships with Their Children's Body Mass Index

BACKGROUND: Obesity and related morbidity increase in Egyptian women and their children. A better understanding of dietary and activity patterns is needed to reduce obesity prevalence.AIM: The present study aimed to assess dietary patterns and physical activity in Egyptian overweight and obese mothers and to explore its relationships with their children's body mass index (BMI).SUBJECTS AND METHODS: This descriptive case-control study was conducted at the National Research Center. The study included a sample of 64 overweight and obese mothers and 75 children, compared with apparently healthy non-obese mothers and their children of matched age and social class. Tested questionnaires were used to collect information of the studied subjects.RESULTS: A statistically significantly higher incidence of unemployment, large family size was observed in overweight & obese women compared to controls (P < 0.05). Those women who consumed vegetables more than 3 times a week were less likely to be overweight or obese (P < 0.05). No significant association were detected between mothers' physical activity, dietary behaviour variables and children’s BMI except for consuming beverages with added sugar (95%CI = 0.074-0.985, P<0.05).CONCLUSION: Improper dietary patterns, nonworking mothers and big family size are associated with obesity among Egyptian women. Emphasis should be given to increasing physical activity and encourage healthier diets among Egyptian mothers and their children

Breakfast Skipping and Dietary Adequacy of Primary School Children in Cairo

Abstract: To determine the prevalence of breakfast skipping and its contribution to dietary adequacy among school children, 2818 children (50.3% boys, 49.7% girls) 10-11 years-old in 25 primary governmental schools in Cairo were studied. Results indicate that 34.9% of children skipped breakfast. Reasons for skipping breakfast were discussed, the most common were that the children were not habituated to eat breakfast and they were afraid to miss early morning session in the school. Girls were significantly more likely to skip breakfast than boys (54.2% girls, 45.8%boys). The average total energy intake was significantly lower for children who skipped breakfast (mean = 1, 268 kcal) as compared to that for children who consumed breakfast at home (mean = l, 566kcal). More than one third of breakfast skippers consumed < 50% of Recommended calories and iron, and more than three quarters of the same group consumed < 50% of the Recommended Dietary Allowance for vitamin A and calcium. Comparison of the five types of consumed breakfasts revealed that the average breakfast containing beans, bread and beverage (Group 5) had the highest contents of 17 nutrients than did the other four groups. These findings show the importance of having breakfast before leaving home

Basic Science Eating Habits and Lifestyles among a Sample of Obese Working Egyptian Women

Abstract BACKGROUND: The fundamental cause of obesity and overweight is an energy imbalance between calories consumed and calories expended