Some Socioeconomic Factors and Lifestyle Habits Influencing the Prevalence of Obesity among Adolescent Male Students in the Hail Region of Saudi Arabia

Abstract

A cross-sectional study was conducted to investigate the effect of some socioeconomic factors and lifestyle habits on the prevalence of obesity among adolescent male students in the Hail region, Saudi Arabia. A questionnaire was filled by 1495 male adolescents distributed among 12 schools in the Hail region. Body weight and height were taken, and the Z-score of students was measured using Anthroplus software with a cutoff 1–2 and +2 standard deviations to determine overweight and obesity, respectively. The study revealed that 21.3% of students were overweight and 27% were obese, respectively. There was a negative association between family size of >8 and obesity (OR: 0.68, CI: 0.48–0.92, p = 0.05). Family income of <5000 SR was negatively associated with obesity (OR: 0.59, CI: 0.36–0.97, p = 0.03). Whether a subject’s mother worked (odds ratio (OR): 1.43, confidence interval CI: 1.03–1.99, p = 0.03) as well as the subject’s mother’s education—whether she can read and write, has a middle school degree, or has done postsecondary studies—were positively associated with obesity. Exercise, regardless of the duration, was negatively associated with obesity. In addition, sleeping <6 h/day had a positive association with obesity. Conclusion: a >8 family size and a low family income were negatively associated with obesity, while having an educated and working mother was positively associated with obesity.

Prevalence and social determinants of overweight and obesity in adolescents in Saudi Arabia: A systematic review

“…On the other hand, a more negative influence of maternal higher education on increased child overweight is observed in lower economic status countries 106 . The association between mother education and the prevalence of overweight and obesity in adolescents was reported in nine studies 25,28‐30,41,51,62,64,65 (Table 3, Figure 5E). These indicated a statistically significant ( P = .04) positive association between mothers with the highest level of education and odds of overweight and obesity.…”

“…Fifty‐one studies met the inclusion criteria and were included in the literature review. All these studies were observational studies, 50 were cross‐sectional 17–66 and one was a case‐control design 67 . Seventeen were published in national journals and 34 in international journals.…”

“…Four studies 56,62,65,67 on TV/computer screen time and overweight and obesity in Saudi adolescents (Table 3 and Figure 5C) demonstrated statistically significant ( P = <.002) positive association between longer TV/computer screen time and odds of overweight and obesity. Low interstudy heterogeneity was noted (I 2 = 38%).…”

“…Also, children with siblings watch less television and have healthier diets 99 . There were two reports 29,65 about the association between family size and the prevalence of overweight and obesity in Saudi adolescents (Table 3). The parameter used for the evaluation of the effect of family size on overweight and obesity was >6 in the first study and >8 in the second.…”

“…However, analysis of data from the 2011 to 2014 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) demonstrates that prevalence patterns of adolescents with obesity by household income are less consistent by race 103 . The association between economic/social class and the prevalence of overweight and obesity in adolescents was reported in seven studies 25,28,30,31,51,64,65 (Table 3, Figure 5D). These studies indicated a statistically significant ( P = <.0003) positive association between higher economic/social class and odds of overweight and obesity.…”