Madridge Journal of Food Technology

ISSN: 2577-4182

2nd International Conference on Obesity and Weight Loss
October 15-17, 2018, Amsterdam, Netherlands

Outcomes of a Study for Measuring the Obesity Prevalence for Students at Al-Khobar City Schools, Eastern Province, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia – 2017

Basem Mohammed Futa

Saudi Diabetes and Endocrine Association, Saudi Arabia

DOI: 10.18689/2577-4182.a2.017

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Background and Objectives:

Method: Saudi Diabetes and Endocrine Association have measure BMI for male/female students to 20 schools (10 for males and 10 for femalesʼ including elementary, preparatory and secondary stages). The number of students enrolled in study were 6,171 (3,421 males and 2,750 females).

Result:

Body Weight Level Elementary Stage Schools Preparatory Stage Schools Secondary Stage Schools
Male Students 1004 Female Students 559 Male Students 1423 Female Students 825 Male Students 759 Female Students 1286
Overweight/Obesity 5% 6% 31.5% 35% 36% 47%

Discussion and Conclusion:

1. There is a low rate of overweight/obesity (5% for male students and 6% for female students) among the students in the elementary schoolsʼ stage.
2. The overweight/obesity rate has increased in the preparatory schoolsʼ stage and reached 31.5% for malesʼ students and 35% for females students.
3. The overweight/obesity rate has furtherly increases in the secondary schoolsʼ stage and reached 36% for malesʼ students and 47% for females students.
4. An action planwas developed to limit the fatty and salty snacks in the schoolsʼ canteens with more of educational programs for students, their families and teachers about health and strategies to combat obesity among students in this Kingdom of Saudi Arabia including performing one hour of physical activity per day, and to limiting TV/screen times.