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. 2020 Mar 20;17(6):2057.
doi: 10.3390/ijerph17062057.

Cross-Cultural Variation in BMI, Sedentary Behavior, and Physical Activity in International School Girls Residing in Saudi Arabia

Adel A Alhusaini  1 , Ganeswara Rao Melam  1 , Syamala Buragadda  2
Affiliations

Cross-Cultural Variation in BMI, Sedentary Behavior, and Physical Activity in International School Girls Residing in Saudi Arabia

Adel A Alhusaini et al. Int J Environ Res Public Health. .

Abstract

Background: The current study was done to assess the cross-cultural difference in physical activity and sedentary behavior among girls from culturally, environmentally, and geographically diverse countries residing in Saudi Arabia.

Methods: This was a comparative cross-sectional study conducted among expatriate girls (N = 275), aged 9-16 years. Participants were from India (n = 65), Pakistan (n = 88), Egypt (n = 50), Sudan (n = 49), and other nationals (n = 23). They were randomly selected from different schools in Riyadh and their Body Mass Index (BMI) and screen time was assessed. Physical activity (PA) and leisure-time activity was assessed using Physical Activity Questionnaire for Older Children (PAQ-C) and the Godin-Shephard Leisure-Time Exercise Questionnaire (GSLTPAQ) respectively.

Results: Out of 275, 65.8% were active and 34.2% were insufficiently active as per the GSLTPAQ, and half of them were moderately active and only 22.2% were extremely active as per PAQ-C. No statistical significant differences in their BMI status, screen time, or the levels of PA among expatriate girls.

Conclusions: This study shows that the expatriate female school children in Saudi Arabia demonstrated a similar pattern in their BMI, sedentary time spent, and PA levels.

Keywords: body mass index; cross cultural; expatriate school children; physical inactivity; school girls.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Level of physical activity categorized using Physical Activity Questionnaire for Older Children (PAQ-C).
Figure 2
Figure 2
Level of physical activity categorized using Godin-Shephard Leisure-Time Exercise Questionnaire (GSLTPAQ).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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