Introduction: Sedentary behavior and poor dietary habits promote obesity and escalates the risk factors
for global mortality. The lifestyle changes during the last 2-3 decades in
high-income nations have led to a decrease in energy expenditure and an
increase in sedentary behavior and weight gain.
PURPOSE: To explore lifestyle and health behavior, including physical activity (PA) and dietary habits of youth in two
affluent countries which are culturally and geographically diverse: United
Kingdom (UK) and Saudi Arabia (SA).
METHODS: The PA and dietary habits of 1185 males and 1105 females aged 15–17 years were assessed using a
validated self-report questionnaire. Body
mass index (BMI) was objectively measured [weight (kg)/height (m2)]. Age and gender-specific BMI cut-off points
were used for overweight and obesity classification in line with the International Obesity Task Force criteria. The
total energy expenditure per week was calculated based on the metabolic
equivalent (MET-min) values of each reported activity. The questionnaire included
specific questions designed to quantify the frequency of healthy and unhealthy
dietary habits.
RESULTS: Saudi youth had a higher
prevalence of overweight/obesity (36.5% vs. 23%, p<0.001) and lower levels
of PA than youth from the UK (p<0.001). Males were more physically active
than females in both countries (3,554 vs. 1,710 mean total METs per week). Moreover,
a cluster analysis identified 3 different groups: a
“high risk” cluster with least healthy dietary habits, low PA and high BMI; a
“moderate risk” with moderate healthy dietary habits, PA and BMI; a “low risk”
cluster with healthiest dietary habits, most active and the least BMI. There
were more SA youth in the high and moderate risk clusters (64% and 61.6%
respectively).
Conclusions: Generally, UK youth pursued a healthier lifestyle and followed better
dietary habits than SA youth; also, males had a healthier lifestyle and dietary
habits than females. The results reveal a worrying picture of young people’s
lifestyle in both countries. Furthermore, the findings confirm the view that
health practices tend to occur in clusters rather than in isolation and this
should be considered when planning policies and designing intervention strategies.