Associations between dietary intake, physical activity, and obesity among public school teachers in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

Abstract

ObjectiveWe aimed to assess the dietary intake of certain food groups in a representative sample of public-school teachers living in Jeddah city. We also, examined the association of dietary intake with physical activity and obesity among schoolteachers.MethodsThe study was a cross-sectional online survey, conducted among 640 (177 male, 463 female) schoolteachers aged between 20 and 62 years old and working in public primary, intermediate, and high schools in Jeddah. Measurements included gender, weight, height, body mass index (BMI), health problems, and lifestyle behaviours, including physical activity levels, smoking status, and dietary intake.ResultsBased on gender, number of non-smoking women (94%) was higher than number of non-smoking men (57.1%) (P < 0.001). However, men were more active than women (P = 0.03). Regarding BMI, there were more overweight men than women, while obese women numbered more than men (P = 0.003). There was no significant difference in dietary intake between men and women except that men consumed more soft drinks than women (P = 0.002). Lower physically active schoolteachers were less likely to consume salad (OR = 0.6, 95% CI 0.4–0.9; P = 0.02), vegetables (OR = 0.6, 95% CI 0.3–0.9; P = 0.01), beans and legumes (OR = 0.4, 95% CI 0.2–0.7; P = 0.005), wholegrain bread (OR = 0.6, 95% CI 0.4–0.9; P = 0.03), dairy products (OR = 0.6, 95% CI 0.4–0.9; P = 0.01), snacks (OR = 0.5, 95% CI 0.2–0.8; P = 0.01), and fish (OR = 0.4, 95% CI 0.2–0.9; P = 0.04) compared to those with high levels of physical activity. Only fruit intake was considered statistically significant (OR = 0.4, 95% CI 0.3–0.7; P = 0.003). The study found a relationship between the BMI of schoolteachers and food intake. Obese schoolteachers had lower consumption of fruits (OR = 0.3, 95% CI 0.2–0.7; P = 0.007) and white meat (OR = 0.5, 95%CI 0.3–0.9; P = 0.03) than schoolteachers in the normal weight group.ConclusionThe high prevalence of physical activity, dietary intake and body weight among Saudi teachers is a major public health concern. The present study identified several lifestyle factors associated with body weight that may represent valid targets for the prevention and management of obesity among Saudi school teachers. Promoting active lifestyles and healthy diets would be primary targets for obesity prevention.

Relationship between Lifestyle Determinants and Perceived Mental and Physical Health in Italian Nursery and Primary School Teachers after the COVID-19 Lockdown

“…The aim of acquiring these data is to improve the quality of life of this category of workers by identifying appropriate intervention strategies. Therefore, we carried out this crosssectional study to investigate these aspects that contribute to determining the lifestyle of this class of workers, as previously shown in the literature [28]. According to Gomes et al [47], teachers' positive or negative experiences with physical activity can influence their propensity to create an educational climate that promotes PA and active lifestyles in schools.…”

“…A recent study reported a negative relationship between BMI and food intake in school teachers. In particular, less physically active teachers had unhealthy food habits [28]. The COVID-19 pandemic seems to have influenced this population of workers by favoring or hindering the intake of unhealthy foods [2].…”

“…Sedentary lifestyles have also been correlated with unhealthy eating habits in teachers, a trend that tends to improve when breaks during working hours increase, emphasizing that breaks during working hours permit this category of workers easier access to healthy foods [16]. Some evidence suggests that physically active teachers are more likely to consume more fruits, vegetables, legumes, grains and olive oil, while less active teachers with a higher BMI consume fewer of these foods [28]. These foods are those typical of the Mediterranean area that are part of a healthy eating pattern known worldwide as the Mediterranean Diet (MD) [29].…”