Development of effective interventions to reduce fast-food consumption in Saudi Arabian schoolchildren requires greater research-based evidence of fast-food consumption habits and practices associated with increased childhood obesity.

Background: A better understanding of the relationships between obesity, socio-demographic variables and eating practices is necessary for effective obesity prevention. Our study aimed to provide an in-depth investigation into the food habits and consumption trends, in urban socio-demographic obese and normal weight Saudi Arabian children. Methods: A multicentre cross-sectional study was conducted from December 2015 to March 2016, in the capital of Saudi Arabia, Riyadh. Participants were divided into groups (obese, normal weight), and further stratified by sex. The total cohort comprised of 1023 children, aged 9.00 to 11.99 years, and 2046 parents/ guardian. Participants in each group were randomly selected using a multistage stratified cluster-sampling technique. A self-paced questionnaire collected data of: weight; height; waist-circumference; BMI; and body fat composition in children. In parents, only weight, height, and BMI were recorded.

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