Fast-Food Consumption, Dietary Quality, and Dietary Intake of Adolescents in Saudi Arabia

Mumena, Walaa A.; Ateek, Amaal A.; Alamri, Rawan K.; Alshallali, Salwa H.; Afifi, Samah Y.; Aljohani, Ghaida A.; Kutbi, Hebah A.

doi:10.3390/ijerph192215083

Cited by 20 publications

(14 citation statements)

References 40 publications

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“…However, since the focus of the study was more on the biochemical aspect of osteomalacia, only biomarkers of impaired mineralization were studied. Recent investigations on the dietary intake of children and adolescents in Saudi Arabia reported that almost a third of adolescents frequently (≥2 times per week) consume fast food [36] and children under 12 years have an above-average intake of cholesterol and saturated fat [37], reflecting high consumption of fast food. Furthermore, local dairy products in Saudi Arabia which are considered good sources of vitamin D and calcium for the younger population contain substantially lower amounts of these micronutrients when compared to fortified products imported from the United States [38].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Establishing the Prevalence of Osteomalacia in Arab Adolescents Using Biochemical Markers of Bone Health

et al. 2022

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Nutrition-acquired osteomalacia is a bone mineralization disorder associated with dietary calcium and/or solar vitamin D deficiency, risk factors considered common in the Middle Eastern region. Establishing less invasive, cheap, and widely available diagnostic markers for this underdiagnosed entity is essential, in particular for screening in high-risk groups. This study assessed the prevalence of biochemical osteomalacia in Arab adolescents. In this cross-sectional study performed between September 2019 and March 2021, adolescents aged 12–17 years from 60 different secondary and preparatory year schools in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia were included. Anthropometrics and fasting blood samples were collected. Biochemical osteomalacia was defined as any two of the following four serum markers of hypomineralization, namely low 25 hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD < 30 nmol/L), high alkaline phosphatase (ALP), low calcium (Ca), and/or inorganic phosphorous (Pi). A total of 2938 Arab adolescents [1697 girls; mean age (years) 14.8 ± 1.8; 1241 boys; mean age 15.1 ± 1.6] were recruited. Vitamin D deficiency was noted in 56.2% (n = 953) of girls and 27.1% (n = 336) of boys (p < 0.001). The overall prevalence of biochemical osteomalacia was 10.0% (n = 295/2938) and was higher in girls than boys (14.7% vs. 3.6%, p < 0.001). The prevalence of low serum Ca and/or Pi was also higher in girls than in boys (24.2% vs. 12.5%, respectively, p < 0.001), as well as elevated ALP (5.1% vs. 1.5%, p < 0.001). Overall, girls were 4.6 times (95% CI 3.3–6.4) more likely to have biochemical osteomalacia than boys. Screening of apparently healthy Arab adolescents revealed a high prevalence of deranged mineralization markers suggestive of biochemical osteomalacia, which was significantly more common in girls than boys and was likely associated with Arab traditional clothing and diet. The proposed combination of typically altered mineralization markers for the diagnosis of osteomalacia is, at best, suggestive until further comparisons with established diagnostic tools (histological analysis of bone biopsies) are conducted.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Establishing the Prevalence of Osteomalacia in Arab Adolescents Using Biochemical Markers of Bone Health

et al. 2022

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“…Most school food service supervisors in the investigated schools were not trained in nutrition, yet they were responsible for ordering food and creating meal plans (31). Multiple studies (26,37,38) confirmed these results by revealing that Saudi adolescents have poor dietary practices and food preferences. Of the 1,133 high school students surveyed, only 27.7% ate breakfast daily on average.…”

Section: Primary Caregiver Both Parents)mentioning

confidence: 90%

“…Even more concerning, only almost three-fifths of adolescents (35.7%) and slightly more than a quarter (28.6%) said they ate vegetables and fruits every day. Also, more adolescents (37.1%) reported drinking fizzy beverages every day ( 26 ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Obesity among Saudi adolescents was also observed to be linked to unfavorable eating habits, including daily consumption of soft drinks ( 25 ). Along these, unhealthy dietary patterns were reported among Saudi adolescents; manifested by fast food consumption, skipping breakfast, and low fruit and vegetable consumption ( 26 ). Adolescents are thought to be the predominant consumers of fast food.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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What is the level of nutrition literacy of Saudi adolescents? A national wide exploratory cross-sectional study

Bookari

2023

Front. Nutr.

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BackgroundDespite being a prolific research topic, studies evaluating nutrition literacy in the Arab world are scant and still nonexistent in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Therefore, a national study was launched with the aim to (1) assess nutrition literacy among Saudi adolescents aged 10–19 years old and (2) determine its correlates.MethodsA cross-sectional study was launched across all Saudi provinces between 29 April and 6 June 2022, enrolling a convenience sample of 2,115 adolescents (mean age = 16.8 ± 2.5; girls: 48.7%). An online self-administered questionnaire was disseminated to eligible participants to collect relevant data.ResultsStudy findings showed that nearly half of the adolescents (44.6%) had poor nutrition literacy. The male gender doubled the risk of adolescents having poor nutrition literacy (OR = 2.0, CI = 1.5-2.5, p < 0.001). Northern border residents were 14 times more likely to be nutritionally illiterate, in contrast to adolescents residing in Riyadh (OR = 14.0, CI = 7.3–28.0, p < 0.001). Adolescents were more likely to be nutritionally illiterate if they were underweight or overweight (OR = 2.7, CI = 1.6–4.7, p < 0.001; OR = 2.2, CI = 1.7–2.9, p < 0.001). School students had 2 times more risk of having poor nutrition literacy, in contrast to those who were enrolled in universities (OR = 1.8, CI = 1.4–2.4, p < 0.001). Nutrition illiteracy was 4 times higher among adolescents having caregivers else than their parents (OR = 3.9, CI = 2.2–6.9, p < 0.001). Parental education level also contributed to determining adolescents' nutrition literacy status.ConclusionsIt has become essential to courage the development of supportive school environments in Saudi Arabia to promote nutrition education and improve adolescents' nutrition literacy. Without a doubt, this calls for taking a holistic approach on the part of education and health ministries, nutrition professionals, educators, parents, and, most importantly, the teenagers themselves, who must have the desire and motivation to learn.

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“…This tool has been modified and used among different populations, including adolescents in Saudi Arabia. [21][22][23][24] The SFFFQ included the following foods: (1) "Fruits"; (2) "Fruit juice"; (3) "Salad"; (4) "Cooked vegetables"; (5) "Fried potatoes/chips"; (6) "Beans or legumes"; (7) "Fiber-rich breakfast cereal"; (8) "Whole wheat bread"; (9) "Cheese/Yoghurt"; (10) "Crisps/Savory snacks"; (11) "Sweet biscuits"; (12) "Ice cream/cream"; (13) "Fizzy drinks/ Pop"; (14) "Beef or lamb"; (15) "Chicken or turkey"; ( 16) "Processed meats/meat product"; (17) "Processed chicken/turkey"; (18) "Fried white fish"; (19) "White fish"; (20) "Oily fish". Food frequencies for items 1-13 were: "Never or Rarely"; "<1 time per week"; "1 time per week"; "2-3 times per week"; "4-6 times per week"; "1-2 times per day"; "3-4 times per day"; "≥ 5 times per day".…”

Section: Assessment Of Media Usementioning

confidence: 99%

Media use, dietary intake, and diet quality of adolescents in Saudi Arabia

et al. 2023

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Background Excessive media use can affect diet of adolescents, but relevant data in Saudi Arabia are lacking. The present study aimed to explore the association between media use, dietary intake, and diet quality among adolescents. Methods This cross-sectional study included data of 631 adolescents (ages 11–18 years) who were randomly recruited from 16 schools located in two main cities in the Western region of Saudi Arabia (Madinah and Jeddah). Envelopes including a questionnaire were sent home to collect sociodemographic data. Students then completed the short-form food frequency questionnaire to assess diet quality. Data on media use, anthropometrics, and 24-h dietary recalls were also collected. Results A high proportion of adolescents (86.2%) exceeded media use recommendations of ≤2 h per day. Significantly higher proportions of younger adolescents, males, and non-Saudis reported media use within the recommendation compared to their peers. Media use predicted lower diet quality score (B = −0.67 [95% CI: −1.09 to −0.28]) and lower intake of calcium, zinc, vitamin D, and vitamin C (B = −104 [95% CI: −203 to −5.24], B = −2.13 [95% CI: −4.15 to −0.11], B = −23.5 [95% CI: −41.3 to −5.65], B = −24.0 [95% CI: −45.1 to −2.96], respectively). Conclusion Interventions to limit media use are urgently needed for adolescents in Saudi Arabia to improve diet quality and overall nutritional health. Impact Excessive media use can affect diet of adolescents, but relevant data are lacking in Saudi Arabia. The majority of adolescents exceed the recommendations for media use. Media use was negatively associated with diet quality and intake of calcium, zinc, vitamin D, and vitamin C. This study will inform public health entities and policy makers to draw evidence-based, culturally tailored recommendations and develop nutrition interventions to enhance diet quality and nutritional status of adolescents. Findings of this study highlight the urgency to develop intervention programs and policies that aim to limit media use among adolescents.

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Fast-Food Consumption, Dietary Quality, and Dietary Intake of Adolescents in Saudi Arabia

Cited by 20 publications

References 40 publications

Establishing the Prevalence of Osteomalacia in Arab Adolescents Using Biochemical Markers of Bone Health

Establishing the Prevalence of Osteomalacia in Arab Adolescents Using Biochemical Markers of Bone Health

What is the level of nutrition literacy of Saudi adolescents? A national wide exploratory cross-sectional study

Media use, dietary intake, and diet quality of adolescents in Saudi Arabia

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