Add like
Add dislike
Add to saved papers

Physical activity, sedentary behaviors and dietary patterns as risk factors of obesity among Jordanian schoolchildren.

OBJECTIVE: To identify certain risk factors associated with childhood obesity related to lifestyle; dietary patterns, physical activity, and sedentary behavior.

METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 977 schoolchildren (473 boys and 449 girls) aged 7-18 years. Children were selected randomly from three main cities in Jordan: Amman, Irbid, and Mafraq by using multistage cluster sampling method. Sedentary behaviors, physical activity and child eating behaviors were measured by using validated questionnaires. Overweight and obesity were defined by International Obesity Task Force (IOTF) criteria.

RESULTS: Sedentary activities increase the risk of overweight among schoolchildren by 2-fold [RR(Relative risk) = 2.0, 95% CI(Confidence interval) (1.1-3.6), p = 0.02]. Whereas, sedentary activities for less than 3 h increased the risk of overweight by 0.8-fold [RR = 0.8, 95%CI (0.6-1.3), P = 0.388], Schoolchildren who spent<30 min/day in exercising decreased the risk of overweight by 0.5-fold [RR = 0.5, 95% CI (0.2-1.0), P = 0.06)]. Both Students who ate one meal daily and daily ate snacks from schools cafeterias had a higher tendency to be obese [(RR = 1.8, 95%CI (0.5-5.9), P = 0.368], and [RR = 1.5, 95%CI (0.9-2.5), P = 0.169] respectively.

CONCLUSIONS: Physical activity, eating meals regularly and homemade food, all together play a significant role in decreasing obesity among Jordanian schoolchildren, thus a national policy that promoting active living and healthy eating among schoolchildren is warranted.

Full text links

We have located links that may give you full text access.
Can't access the paper?
Try logging in through your university/institutional subscription. For a smoother one-click institutional access experience, please use our mobile app.

For the best experience, use the Read mobile app

Mobile app image

Get seemless 1-tap access through your institution/university

For the best experience, use the Read mobile app

All material on this website is protected by copyright, Copyright © 1994-2024 by WebMD LLC.
This website also contains material copyrighted by 3rd parties.

By using this service, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy.

Your Privacy Choices Toggle icon

You can now claim free CME credits for this literature searchClaim now

Get seemless 1-tap access through your institution/university

For the best experience, use the Read mobile app