scholarly journals Factors related to dietary habits, energy drink consumption, and physical activity in marginalized Palestinian schools: A cross-sectional study

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 329-336
Author(s):  
Sami Amer ◽  
Elham Kateeb

Background: The current study assessed different dietary habits, energy drinks intake, body mass index (BMI) and physical activity and associated factors among Palestinian adolescents attending marginalized schools. Methods: A cross-sectional study targeted a random sample of 1480 students in the sixth andninth grades attending 20 marginalized public schools in the West Bank area of the occupied Palestinian Territories (oPt). Students were interviewed in-person by trained senior dental students about their dietary habits, physical activity, fathers’ employment and mothers’ level of education. Weight and height were measured, and BMI percentile was calculated. Descriptive statistics were generated for the study’s main variables and the dependent variables were compared by grade, gender, mothers’ level of education and father’s employment. Results: A total of 1282 students (98% response) completed the questionnaire. Of them, 6%were ‘underweight’ (fifth percentile or under) and 34% were ‘overweight’ or ‘obese’ (85thpercentile or over). Ninth graders had more added sugar than 6th graders (P=0.002), less frequent milk consumption (P<0.001), more frequent energy drink consumption (P=0.001),and less physical activity (P<0.0001). Frequency of carbonated and sweetened drink consumption was associated with being overweight or obese (P=0.016, P=0.001). Frequency of carbonated drinks consumption was higher among children of mothers with a high school level of education or less (P<0.001). In addition, children of mothers educated to high school level or below were associated with being underweight (P=0.05). Conclusion: Dietary habits and physical activity get worse between the ages of 12 and 15. Mothers’ level of education is an important factor in being overweight or underweight. Energy drink consumption among boys and milk consumption among girls are two challenges that need to be addressed urgently and adequately.

Author(s):  
Wafaa Husain ◽  
Fatemah Ashkanani

Abstract Background The coronavirus pandemic has transformed and continues to transform and affect the daily lives of communities worldwide, particularly due to the lockdown restrictions. Therefore, this study was designed to understand the changes in dietary and lifestyle behaviours that are major determinants of health during the COVID-19 outbreak. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted through an online questionnaire using a convenience sample of 415 adults living in Kuwait (age range 18–73 years). Results The rate of skipping breakfast remained consistent, with a slight increase during the pandemic. Lunch remained the main reported meal before and during COVID-19. Compared to before COVID-19, people were much more likely have a late-night snack or meal during COVID-19 (OR = 3.57 (95% CI 1.79–7.26), p < 0.001). Moreover, there was a drastic decrease in the frequency of fast-food consumption during COVID-19, up to 82% reported not consuming fast food (p < 0.001). There was a significant increase in the percentage of participants who had their main meal freshly made (OR = 59.18 (95% CI 6.55–1400.76), p = 0.001). Regarding food group patterns, no significant differences were found before and during the pandemic in terms of the weekly frequency of consumption, except in the case of fish and seafood. There were no remarkable changes in beverage consumption habits among participants before and during the pandemic, except for Americano coffee and fresh juice. Furthermore, there was a great reduction in physical activity and an increase in the amount of screen time and sedentary behaviours. A notable increase was detected in day-time sleep and a decrease in night-time sleep among participants. Conclusion In general, this study indicates some changes in daily life, including changes in some eating practices, physical activity and sleeping habits during the pandemic. It is important that the government considers the need for nutrition education programmes and campaigns, particularly during this critical period of the pandemic in Kuwait.


2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (6) ◽  
pp. 498-510
Author(s):  
Maria Chrissini ◽  
◽  
Ioanna Tsiligianni ◽  
Dimitra Sifaki-Pistolla ◽  
Nikolaos Tzanakis

Objective: In this study, we assessed Greek and immigrant kindergarteners’ and their families’ body mass index (BMI), nutritional habits, and level of adherence to the Mediterranean diet during the Greek austerity period beginning in 2009. Methods: A cross-sectional study in Attica, Greece, during the school year 2016-17, enrolling 578 guardian parents and 578 kindergarteners aged ≥ 5-6 years, from 63 public kindergartens in 36 municipalities in Attica’s prefecture. Results: Immigrant mothers experienced twice as high the unemployment rate (21.3%) than Greek mothers (10.5%), with consequent degradation in food products purchasing (p = .03)(non-Greeks 54.3%, Greeks: 49.1%). BMI rates between Greeks and immigrant participants were similar, with significant variations in several lifestyle habits, including Greek parents’ heavier smoking and higher physical activity in parents of different ethnic origin. KIDMED score was “poor” in both Greek and other identity kindergarteners, with slight differences in some of the Mediterranean dietary habits and patterns; strong correlation was expressed between the child’s BMI and KIDMED score, guardian parent’s age, BMI, and overall lifestyle. Conclusions: This study could be a springboard for further research in the understudied population of native and immigrant kindergarteners, reflecting on national and international initiatives and action plans to ensure that their similarities and differences are noted.


Kinesiology ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 50 (1) ◽  
pp. 57-67 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elizabeth Acampado ◽  
Madonna Valenzuela

No published study has been tracked to date on the physical activity (PA) and dietary habits (DH) of Filipino college students. Thus, this cross-sectional study aimed to determine (1) the prevalence of regular PA among college students in a Philippine setting and (2) the reasons for either adherence to PA or for being inactive, (3) to describe DH of the students, (4) to compare PA involvement and DH across year levels, and (5) to correlate PA and diet behaviors. Data were collected using a self-administered survey questionnaire. Results showed that only 32.8% of the 1,706 students in this study engaged in regular PA. There were greater proportions of inactivity at higher-year levels (62.5%, 66.5%, 76.5%, and 84.8% in the first, second, third and&nbsp;fourth year, respectively). The major reason for inactivity was lack of time, while the students’ PA adherence was largely due to predisposing factors such as knowledge about PA, beliefs in benefits and enjoyment of PA, and confidence in performing physical activity. About one of every three students in each year level had below-average to poor dietary habits, meaning they seldom eat proper types of food. Findings of this study indicate the need for an intervention that will effectively increase regular PA and ensure proper food intake in the student population.


BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. e049284
Author(s):  
Siri Kaldenbach ◽  
Tor A Strand ◽  
Beate Stokke Solvik ◽  
Mads Holten-Andersen

ObjectivesTo describe the social determinants and development in energy drink consumption among Norwegian adolescents in 2017, 2018 and 2019.DesignCross-sectional, online, annual, nationwide surveys (Ungdata).SettingResponses collected online from January 2017 to December 2019.ParticipantsLower and upper secondary school students (n=297 102) aged 12–19 years who responded in 2017, 2018 and 2019.Main outcome measuresFrequency of energy drink consumption.ResultsOver the 3-year period, 66.4% of the men and 41.8% of the women had consumed energy drink once a week or more. The proportion of female high consumers (consuming energy drink more than four times a week) increased from 3.3% to 4.9% between 2017 and 2019; for male, the increase was from 9.8% to 11.5%. In females, the proportion of high consumers increased with 24% (relative risk; CI) (1.24; 1.09 to 1.41) from 2017 to 2018 and 46% (1.46; 1.31 to 1.62) from 2017 to 2019. The corresponding increases in males were 10% (1.10; 1.01 to 1.20) from 2017 to 2018 and 12% (1.12; 1.05 to 1.19) from 2017 to 2019. Any energy drink consumption as well as high energy drink consumption were independently associated with school level, less central residency, low socioeconomic status, physical inactivity and high leisure screen time.ConclusionWe found an increase in high consumers among both boys and girls between 2017 and 2019. The observed increase in energy drink consumption among adolescents can explain some of the increased sales of energy drink in Norway.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Takae Shinto ◽  
Saneyuki Makino ◽  
Yu Tahara ◽  
Lie Nitta ◽  
Mai Kuwahara ◽  
...  

BACKGROUND Protein intake plays an important role in the synthesis and maintenance of skeletal muscle in the prevention of health risks. It is also widely known that physical activity influences muscle function. However, no large-scale studies have examined the relationship between daily dietary habits, especially the timing of protein intake, and daily physical activity. OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between protein intake and composition during the three meals and the amount of daily physical activity using a cross-sectional study design. METHODS Using the daily dietary data accumulated in the phone food-log application “Asken” and a web-based cross-sectional survey to the Asken users (total N = 8,458), we analyzed the nutrient intake and daily activity levels. RESULTS Correlation analysis revealed that breakfast and lunch protein intake had higher positive correlations with daily physical activity among the three major macronutrients (protein, fat, and carbohydrate). These findings were confirmed by multiple regression analysis with confounding factors. Also, participants with higher protein intake and composition at breakfast or lunch tended to exhibit significantly greater physical activity than those with the higher protein intake at dinner. CONCLUSIONS Among the three macronutrients, protein intake during breakfast and lunch was closely associated with daily physical activity.


2010 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 19-21
Author(s):  
Sunita Ghike ◽  
Sulbha Joshi ◽  
A Bhalerao ◽  
A Kawthalkar

ABSTRACT Population explosion is a major burden on developing countries like us. Unregulated fertility not only disrupts the health of women and child but also disrupts the economy of society and nation. To gain the knowledge about awareness and contraceptive practices in women living in rural area a cross-sectional study was conducted over two years from 15/5/05 to 15/6/07 in relation to age, parity, literacy level, working place, source of knowledge about contraception, women practicing contraception and reasons for nonuse of contraceptives. It was observed that most of the women belong to the age group of 22 to 25 years 346.91%, 33.7% were para 2. 56.3% were working and 44%were literate and only 1 to 1.2% had education above high school level. Media including TV and radio was the main source of contraceptive knowledge, i.e. 70%. 67.5% of women were aware about temporary methods of contraception while 100% were aware about permanent methods of contraception, but number of women practicing contraception was very low, i.e. 35.7% and the main reason of nonpractice of contraception was family pressure mainly in laws, husband gender bias, physical abuse, etc. i. e. 59%. It was noted that though knowledge of at least one method of contraception was wide among the women but still actual practice was very low.


Nutrients ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (11) ◽  
pp. 1566 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ramón Chacón-Cuberos ◽  
Félix Zurita-Ortega ◽  
Asunción Martínez-Martínez ◽  
Eva Olmedo-Moreno ◽  
Manuel Castro-Sánchez

Background: Several studies have shown that following a healthy diet and practicing regular physical activity (PA) are related with multiple health benefits. However, the cognitive and academic implications of these behaviors within adolescents requires further study. Material and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with a simple of 1059 adolescents from Spain. The main instruments employed were the Adherence to Mediterranean Diet Test (KIDMED), the Physical Activity Questionnaire for Adolescents (PAQ-A) and the Motivation and Learning Strategies Short Form (MSLQ-SF). Results: Practicing PA for more than three hours per week was related to better dietary habits (p < 0.001) such as increased consumption of vegetables (0.75 ± 0.43 vs. 0.62 ± 0.48), fish (0.67 ± 0.47 vs. 0.58 ± 0.49), cereals (0.85 ± 0.35 vs. 0.77 ± 0.41) and nuts (0.44 ± 0.49 vs. 0.35 ± 0.47). High adherence to a Mediterranean diet (MD) was positively related to elaboration strategies (r = 0.116), organizational strategies (r = 0.109), critical thinking (r = 0.116), self-regulation (r = 0.159), time and study habits (r = 0.160), self-regulation of effort (r = 0.118), and intrinsically orientated goals (r = 0.090) (p < 0.01 for all variables). Practicing PA every week was also related to improvements in several of the measured variables and in addition was related to lower levels of anxiety within the academic environment (r = −0.070; p < 0.05). Conclusions: Given the benefits of eating habits and the practice of PA in the cognitive processes involved in adolescent learning, intervention programs within the educational context are recommended to improve healthy habits.


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