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Caroline Barakat-Haddad et al., Arch Gen Intern Med 2018, Volume 2 | DOI: 10.4066/2591-7951-C7-020
DIETARY BEHAVIORS, PHYSICAL ACTIVITY
AND SEDENTARY BEHAVIORS AMONG
ADOLESCENTS FROM ARAB NATIONS
Caroline Barakat-Haddad
and
Susan Yousufzai
University of Ontario Institute of Technology, Canada
T
his research examines the epidemiology of health risk behaviors among
adolescents from Arab regions. We synthesize evidence from existing lit-
erature on dietary behaviors, physical activity and sedentary behaviors. Ad-
olescence is a period that describes the transition from childhood to young
adulthood. It is an opportune time for the emergence and prevention of new
behaviors, and is critical in shaping future health conditions. A large propor-
tion of the population in Arab nations consists of youth, with about 20% of the
population aged 10 to 19 years. This presents a demographic opportunity to
promote health and reduce disease burdens. Public health concerns related
to dietary behaviours among adolescents from Arab nations vary from high
rates of eating disorders, documented evidence of high prevalence of over-
weight and obesity, eating attitudes that promote extreme dieting or binge
eating, and evidence of vitamin D deficiencies. For instance, the prevalence of
binge eating has been documented in Saudi Arabia (69.9%), Jordan (16.9%),
the UAE (32%), Oman (15%), Egypt (over 75% report at least one episode, and
Lebanon (4.2%). Obesity rates range between 12 and 36%. In some nations,
these dietary behaviours and health outcomes exhibited gender differences.
These lend their way to issues related to body image and dissatisfaction,
which low levels of physical activity and high rates of sedentary lifestyles fur-
ther magnified. For example, a UAE-based study reports that the prevalence
of sedentary behavior amongst adolescents is as high as 40%. These num-
bers are comparable to data from Morocco and Saudi Arabia. This research
provides evidence in support of the need for more research and action; while
research provides evidence on dietary behaviours, physical activity, and sed-
entary behaviours among adolescents from Arab nations, more action-based
research that addresses these health risk behaviours is a requisite in dealing
with and tackling these public health concerns.
Caroline Barakat-Haddad has completed her PhD from
McMaster University, Canada. She started her academic
career as an Assistant Professor in Environmental Health
at Zayed University, Dubai. She held positions at the Uni-
versity of Toronto Scarborough as an Assistant Profes-
sor in Health Studies, and Discipline Representative. She
is currently an Associate Professor in Environmental and
Occupational Health at the University Of Ontario Institute
Of Technology, Canada. Dr Barakat-Haddad has more
than 30 publications in reputed academic sources and
has presented her research at over 45 national and in-
ternational venues. She has been cited over 100 times.
She serves on an editorial board, is a peer reviewer for a
National Research Fund and is the outgoing Chair of the
Geography of Health and Healthcare Study Group of the
Canadian Association of Geographers.
caroline.barakat@uoit.caBIOGRAPHY