Home Environment Characteristics and BMI Z-Score Among Saudi Preschool Children: A Feasibility Study

Abstract

Objective: To assess feasibility of using preschools in Saudi Arabia as a source for collecting nutrition-related data; To examine associations among home environment characteristics and child BMI z-score (BMIz). Methods: Fifty-three (3-5 years old) children and their mothers were recruited from two preschools in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Mothers completed a self-administered questionnaire. Child anthropometry was completed using standardized procedures. BMIz was calculated using the WHO growth standards and reference data. Associations between child and home environment variables were tested using Pearson correlation, t-tests and ANOVA. Results: Participation rate in the middle-to high-income preschool was higher compared to the low-to middle-income preschool (27.3% vs. 17.4%, respectively). Increase in child age and maternal BMI were associated with lower maternal playtime with the child (r=-0.31, p= 0.02, and r=-0.38, p= 0.006, respectively). Increase in child age was also associated with lower paternal playtime with the child (r=-0.26, p= 0.05). Paternal playtime with the child was positively associated with both paternal involvement in feeding (r= 0.30, p= 0.03) and regular family mealtimes (r= 0.26, p=0.05). There was a trend of positive association between paternal involvement in feeding and higher child BMIz (r= 0.26, p=0.08). Mean child BMIz was lower when mothers had ≥ a college education vs. not (p= 0.04). Greater child screen time was associated with fewer family mealtimes (p= 0.01). Conclusion: Increasing awareness is needed in order to improve feasibility of studies conducted in Saudi preschools; Future work is needed to further establish the associations of home environment characteristics and child obesity.

Correlates of sedentary behavior in Asian preschool‐aged children: A systematic review

“…Only two studies assessed child body mass index (BMI) as a correlate of SB. Although one study observed no significant association between BMI and TV time, 45 one reported that higher BMI was associated with more time spent on SB out of school hours but not with objectively measured total SB 36 …”

“…One study from China reported that longer outdoor playtime and active commuting to school (e.g., walking) were associated with less objectively measured total SB time 36 . Another two studies examined physical activity, 45 sleep time, 38 imitation of televised models, and beginning age for TV viewing 38 . They reported insignificant associations with SV time.…”

“…34,38,42 Other potential correlates were investigated in individual studies: stricter parenting, 37 worse antenatal maternal mood, 47 higher risk of maternal depression, 39 total maternal sleep time before pregnancy 32 were associated with greater screen or TV viewing time. Meanwhile, the presence of mother-child interaction, 37 nurturing parenting, 37 regular family mealtimes, 45 grandparent's restrictive mediation practices (referring to practices such as attempts to impose limitations on the child's duration of media use, or selection of appropriate content) 40 were associated with less time spent onscreen viewing or non-interactive media use.…”

Childhood Obesity and Quality of Meals: The Saudi School Meal and Home Meal Study SSMHMS – A Cross Sectional Study

“…With regards to the whole family, the role of the fathers and siblings are usually neglected, where more pressure is carried on mothers. A recent study carried by Mosli showed that paternal involvements results in higher BMI of the child, unlike when mothers were college graduates and more knowledge, a lower BMI of children were seen [47]. In addition, Mosli et al, 2015 have proved that siblings have an impact on the last born child's health and nutrition, where a positive association with overweight and obesity was seen.…”