Patterns of physical activity and dietary habits among adolescents in Saudi Arabia: A systematic review

Authors

  • Ibrahim Alasqah Qassim University
  • Ilias Mahmud
  • Leah East
  • Kim Usher

Keywords:

Physical activity, diet, adolescents, Saudi Arabia, public health

Abstract

Objective: Physical inactivity and unhealthy dietary habits are behavioural risk factors associated with non-communicable diseases. The current study aimed to determine the prevalence of physical activity and dietary habits among adolescents in Saudi Arabia.

Methods: A systematic electronic literature search of PubMed, SCOPUS, Web of Science, and BIOSIS was conducted through April 2018 using the following keywords: (physical activity OR physical inactivity OR diet OR dietary habits) AND Saudi Arabia. Extracted data from each study were tabulated, and data were synthesised narratively.

Results: Eighteen studies published within 2007-2017 were included in the narrative synthesis. The prevalence of physical activity among adolescents in Saudi Arabia ranged from 4% to 44.5%. Fast foods consumption, skipping breakfast, and low fruit and vegetable consumption were the most reported unhealthy dietary habits.

 Conclusion: Our review highlights that physical inactivity and unhealthy dietary habits were high among adolescents in Saudi Arabia. These findings require immediate actions and plans to increase levels of physical activity and healthy dietary habits among Saudi adolescents.

 

Downloads

Published

2021-03-01

How to Cite

Alasqah, I., Mahmud, I., East, L., & Usher, K. (2021). Patterns of physical activity and dietary habits among adolescents in Saudi Arabia: A systematic review. International Journal of Health Sciences, 15(2), 39–48. Retrieved from https://pub.qu.edu.sa/index.php/journal/article/view/4909

Issue

Vol. 15 No. 2 (2021): Mar-Apr

Section

Reviews

License


Authors who publish with this journal agree to the following terms:

    1. Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgement of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal.

    1. Authors are able to enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the non-exclusive distribution of the journal's published version of the work (e.g., post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgement of its initial publication in this journal.

  1. Authors are permitted and encouraged to post their work online (e.g., in institutional repositories or on their website) prior to and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as earlier and greater citation of published work (See The Effect of Open Access).