Nutritional Anthropometry and Dietary Habits of Public Secondary School Students in Bahrain : Policy Implication for Promoting Healthy Eating Habits through School Health Program
| Author | Bader, Zahra Habib Abdali | |
|---|---|---|
| metadata.dc.contributor.department | Arabian Gulf University | |
| metadata.dc.date.accessioned | 2026-09-20T15:47:19Z | |
| Publication date | 2007 | |
| Degree level | Master | |
| Abstract | Abstract : Background: In countries undergoing rapid urbanization and economic growth like Bahrain, changes in lifestyle and dietary habits are observed especially among adolescents, with a rise in obesity and other nutrition-related chronic diseases. Unhealthy dietary habits and an increase in the prevalence of overweight and obesity among the adolescent population in Bahrain have been reported. The continuing increase in the prevalence of obesity in Bahrain suggests the current measures to prevent and control obesity are inadequate. Prevention is now crucial, and adolescents should be a priority target, because of conducive eating patterns and lifestyles. Establishing healthy nutrition and physical activity habits in young boys and girls is considered to be an important factor in maintaining healthy lifestyle patterns that can persist through adolescence and into adulthood. Objectives: 1- To assess students' nutritional status using weight and height measurements, 2-To determine the eating habits and the lifestyle of public secondary school students in Bahrain and the difference of these habits between male and female 3- To explore the possible relationship between obesity and eating habits and lifestyle among students in public secondary schools in Bahrain. Aim: To provide base-line data for school Health Nutritional Program in Bahrain, on which a future modified school nutrition program can be implemented in order to promote healthy eating habits in schools, and improve the overall nutritional status of Bahraini adolescents. Methods: A cross-sectional study comprising of 735 students (339 males and 396 females), ages 15-18 years, selected by multistage random sampling from government secondary schools in all five governorates of Bahrain. Information on dietary habits and lifestyle were obtained by self administered questionnaire. Anthropometric measurements (height and weight) were taken and obesity was determined by using body mass index (BMI). Results: Eating habits of Bahraini adolescents showed excessive ingestion of sweets, chocolates, soft drinks, canned fruit juices, snacks and fast foods especially among females. A large percentage (56%) of adolescents were not eating breakfast regularly, however skipping three meals were more popular among females than males (breakfast P=0.000, lunch P=0.001 and supper P=0.000). High percentage of adolescents (73.5%) was physically active and practicing sports, especially males. Gender difference was significant with practicing sports during school hours and outside school, however females' participation in sports activity inside the school was more than outside school (P=0.026). The prevalence of overweight and obesity were higher among females adolescent (17.4% and 19.4% respectively) than males (15.8% and 13.7% respectively). Since the prevalence of underweight was very low in both genders (8.6% of males and 2.3% of females) the sample was divided into two groups, overweight and obese (BMI ≥85th percentile) and non-obese group (BMI | |
| metadata.dc.identifier.other | https://digitalrepository.uob.edu.bh/id/3ce824f4-1521-4e5e-b247-9baedd732c8b | |
| metadata.dc.identifier.other | Drupal node 3131 | |
| metadata.dc.identifier.other | https://digitalrepository.uob.edu.bh/en/dar/nutritional-anthropometry-and-dietary-habits-public-secondary-school-students-bahrain-policy | |
| metadata.dc.identifier.uri | http://165.227.56.122/handle/123456789/6601 | |
| Language | en | |
| Link | https://digitalrepository.uob.edu.bh/en/_flysystem/fedora/2025-04/nutritional-anthropometry-and-dietary-habits-of-public-secondary-school-students-in-bahrain-policy-implication-for-promoting-healthy-eating-habits-through-school-health-program.pdf | |
| Subject | Health Policy -- Bahrain -- Essays | |
| Subject | Dietary Habits--Bahrain -- Essays | |
| Subject | Food Habits -- Bahrain -- Essays | |
| Subject | Nutrition -- Bahrain -- Essays | |
| Subject | Nutritional Status -- Bahrain -- Essays | |
| Title | Nutritional Anthropometry and Dietary Habits of Public Secondary School Students in Bahrain : Policy Implication for Promoting Healthy Eating Habits through School Health Program | |
| Type | Master's Thesis |
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