Factors related to obesity in preparatory and high schools in Dubai : a study of the prevalence, determination, consequences and the perception of obesity in adolescents in Dubai, United Arab Emirates

The study was conducted in Dubai, one of the main Emirate states.  It is a cross sectional descriptive study, conducted between January and April 2004.  The sample size was 661(324 males and 337 females).  These were all local national students from preparatory and secondary schools with ages ranging from 12 to 17 years.  A multi-stage stratified, random sampling technique was used to obtain a representative sample of appropriate size for estimating the prevalence of obesity among adolescents.  A short questionnaire was used to obtained information relating to factors which contributed to obesity. The results revealed that there was a high prevalence of obesity in males (22.2%) and females (20.2%).  Boys and girls in early and middle adolescence (12-15years) were more obese than late adolescents (16-17 years).  An increase in body mass index may lead to high blood pressure, high blood sugar level, high cholesterol and triglyceride level.  The girls were  shown to be more likely to follow a dietary programmes and watch television food advertisements.  Television was shown to be the most effective way of transmitting health nutrition information inclusion in the school curriculum being the next most effective way.  Boys participated in physical activity more than girls; reducing the likelihood of obesity.  Boys were more likely to overestimate their current body shape than girls. It was concluded that since obesity cannot be prevented or managed at an individual level, governments, the food industry, international agencies, the media and community should all work together to modify the environment so that it is less conductive to weight gain.EThOS - Electronic Theses Online ServiceGBUnited Kingdo

Body weight perception among adolescents in Dubai, United Arab Emirates Percepción del peso corporal en los adolescentes de Dubai, Emiratos Árabes Unidos

This study investigated the body image perceptions among adolescents in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE). A cross-sectional survey was conducted amongst 661 adolescents (324 males; 337 females) aged 12-17 years selected from government schools using a multistage stratified random sampling technique. A pretested validated questionnaire was employed to determine the perception of adolescents toward their weight status. A nine figure silhouette illustration was used to measure perceptions of their ideal body image and how it compares with their current body weight. The results reveled that overweight (18.5%) and obesity (27.2%) were higher among males than in females (13.1% and 20.5% respectively). A high proportion of overweight males and females considered themselves as average (45.0% and 52.3%, respectively). Similarly, 56.9% of obese male and 46.4% of females considered themselves as average weight. Of non-overweight/obese males and females, 27.6% and 39.3% respectively, were pressured by parents to gain weight (p > 0.000). In general overweight and obese adolescents were more likely to face pressure from their parents and teased by friends than non-overweight/obese adolescents. Compared to their current body image, overweight and obese adolescents chose a significantly lighter figure as their ideal (p Este estudio investigaba la percepción de la imagen corporal en los adolescentes de Dubái, Emiratos Árabes Unidos (EAU). Se realizó una encuesta transversal entre 661 adolescentes (324 chicos; 337 chicas) con edades de 12-17 años, seleccionados de colegios públicos utilizando una técnica de muestreo aleatorio estratificado en varias etapas. Se empleó un cuestionario validado y previamente testado para determinar la percepción de los adolescentes con respecto a su peso. Se usó la ilustración de una silueta de los nueves para medir las percepciones de su imagen corporal ideal y cómo se comparaba con su peso corporal real. Los resultados mostraron que el sobrepeso (18,5%) y la obesidad (27,2%) fueron superiores entre los chicos que entre las chicas (13,1% y 20,5%, respectivamente). Una proporción alta de chicos y chicas con sobrepeso se consideró a sí mismos en el promedio (45,0% y 52,3%, respectivamente). De forma similar, el 56,9% de los chicos obesos y el 46,4 % de las chicas obesas se consideraron dentro del promedio. El 27,6% y el 39,3S% de los chicos y chicas, respectivamente, sin sobrepeso ni obesidad eran presionados por sus padres para ganar peso (p > 0,000). Por lo general, los adolescentes con sobrepeso u obesidad tenían una mayor probabilidad de recibir presiones de sus padres y burlas de sus compañeros que los adolescentes sin sobrepeso ni obesidad. En comparación con su imagen corporal actual, los adolescentes con sobrepeso u obesidad eligieron un número significativamente menor como su peso ideal (p < 0,000). Se sugiere que el currículo educativo sanitario actual debería incluir información relacionada con el peso corporal saludable y una dieta y estilo de vida apropiados para minimizar el riesgo de desarrollar preocupaciones sobre una imagen corporal distorsionada en la adolescencia y más allá

Anthropometric characteristics and obesity among adolescents in the United Arab Emirates ‫املتحدة‬ ‫العربية‬ ‫اإلمارات‬ ‫يف‬ ‫املراهقني‬ ‫لدى‬ ‫والبدانة‬ ‫البرشية‬ ‫القياسات‬ ‫خصائص‬ ‫ديسوزا‬ ‫ريشام‬ ‫مصيقر،‬ ‫الرمحن‬ ‫عبد‬ ‫بريبنر،‬ ‫جون‬ ‫زعل،‬ ‫بن‬ ‫عف

ABSTRACT Anthropometric measurements and the prevalence of overweight and obesity were studied in 661 adolescents aged 12-17 years from Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Mean values for height and weight increased steadily with age in both sexes. Mean values for waist circumference ranged from 70.8-76.6 cm in males and 64.0-68.8 cm in females. Hip circumference varied from 84.8-91.2 cm in males and 84.9-91.2 cm in females. Body mass index was generally higher in males than in females (range 21.9-23.6 kg/m 2 and 19.8-24.1 kg/m 2 respectively). The overall prevalence of overweight and obesity was 19.3% and 21.6% in males and 12.3% and 19.5% in females. This study confirms the high incidence of overweight and obesity in Dubai adolescents