Teachers Dietary Practices during School Day in Jeddah, Western Saudi Arabia

Abstract

The schools teachers dietary practices during the school day should reflect a healthy dietary pattern both in quality and quantity of foods consumed particularly in countries that witness an epidemic of obesity related Type-2 diabetes mellitus. The objective of this study was to identify the local dietary practices of the schools teachers in Jeddah, western Saudi Arabia. A Cross-section observational study using a pre-designed questionnaire to identify the local pattern of dietary practices during school day of a representative sample of schools teachers was conducted in Jeddah. The questionnaire was piloted and administered to a sample of 140 teachers working in 15 schools across Jeddah. A total of 140 Saudi teachers participated. The mean age of the sample was 34.9 ± 6.1 years. Two thirds (66.4%) were females. Overall, 40.5% were overweight and 22.4% were obese. During the school day, tea and Arabic coffee were the commonest daily consumed drinks (67.9%, 65.7% respectively). Almost half of the sample consumed dates on a daily basis (51.4%). Breads and cheese sandwiches were always consumed by 45% and 33.6% respectively. Two thirds of females 67.7% and 55.3% of males were used to have breakfast and/or snack with their colleagues at school. Males preferred to purchase ready-made traditional foods from outside while females preferred the schools canteens. The percentages of overweight and obesity were higher among males compared to females (46.5 versus 37%) and (25.6% versus 20.5%) respecttively. It is concluded that the dietary practices of Saudi school teachers during school day vary according to gender. Findings indicate the need for dietary modification programs directed towards schools teachers in populations which report high prevalence rates of diabetes of similar cultural backgrounds

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

“…Among individuals, including schoolteachers, the obesity risk increases with the degree of physical inactivity, sedentary life, and dietary behaviour ( 17 ). The prevalence of obesity among schoolteachers was 30% in a Brazilian study ( 18 ) and 40% in a Saudi study in Jeddah ( 19 ). Obesity is associated with lifestyle and comorbidities among public school teachers ( 20 ).…”

Using Teacher Goal Boards to Promote Healthy Eating and Physical Activity among Elementary Students

“…Most teachers reported high-fat intakes and frequently purchased sweetened soft drinks and high-fat or high-sugar snack foods from school vending machines. A recent observational study of 140 teachers' dietary practices during the school day in Western Saudi Arabia concluded that positive teacher role modeling is necessary in reducing poor dietary behaviors and outcomes among children [20]. Arcan et al [21] studied classroom food practices and food-related beliefs of 75 kindergarten and first grade teachers on a large American Indian reservation.…”