Physical Activity, Sleep Patterns and Diet Habits as Well as the Prevalence of Obesity among Adolescents: A Cross Sectional Study from Ha'il City in Saudi Arabia.

Obesity is expected to increase in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). Therefore, the objective of this study was to determine the physical activity, sleep patterns and diet habits as well as the prevalence of obesity among adolescents from Ha'il City. A cross-sectional study was conducted with 1598 adolescent students (663 males and 935 females) aged 12−15 years who were randomly selected from different schools in Ha'il. Body mass index (BMI) was used to classify participants as underweight, normal weight, overweight and obese (class and class II). Moreover, physical activity, sleep patterns and diet habits were recorded. The prevalence of obesity was 52.1%. Obesity is significantly more prevalent in females compared to males (62.9% vs. 36.59%, p < 0.001). Moreover, students in the third grade are the most obese in comparison with the first and the second educational level (p < 0.001). Additionally, students aged 15 years old are the most obese compared to 12 years, 13 years and 14 years (p < 0.001). Additionally, the results showed that students who suffer from obesity eat food when they feel higher stress and tension scores and that they do not eat their meals regularly. Additionally, 79% of those who eat fried food daily are obese. It was reported that 61.1% of students in this study were physically inactive. Furthermore, 58.4% of students have a higher proportion of insufficient sleeping duration (>7 h per night) (p < 0.001). This increased rate of obesity is higher in females compared to males and it was related to inactivity as well as perturbed sleep and eating habits. Therefore, we recommend an obesity prevention program including health education in Ha'il City, KSA.

Exergaming During Ramadan Intermittent Fasting Improve Body Composition as Well as Physiological and Psychological Responses to Physical Exercise in Adolescents With Obesity.

The effects of exergaming on biochemical responses has been investigated; however, no data is available for this effect during Ramadan intermittent fasting (RIF). RIF is a daily fasting characterized by abstaining from eating and drinking from sunrise to sunset for 29-30 days. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of exergaming during RIF on body composition, physical performance and hematological parameters in overweight and adolescents with obesity. Twenty-four adolescents with obesity were divided into two groups [control group (CG), n = 12, or cooperative sport exergaming group (EG), n = 12: 45 min per session during five days per week)]. Participants completed a 6-min walking test (6MWT), a squat jump test and a 10 and a 30m sprint tests in four different occasions: before Ramadan (T0), the second week of Ramadan (T1), the fourth week of Ramadan (T2), and after Ramadan (T3). Blood pressure, rating of perceived exertion (RPE), body composition, central obesity index, dietary intake and profile of mood states (POMS) were, also, assessed over the four periods. The results showed that body weight, body mass index and body fat percentage were significantly lower at T2 compared to T0 and T1 in the EG. After RIF, body composition returned to the values recorded before RIF. The POMS score was significantly lower during T2 compared to T0, T1 and T3 in the EG. The vertical jump and the 6MWT distance were significantly higher (i) at T2 compared to T0, T1 and T3 in the EG and (ii) in EG compared to CG at T2. RPE was significantly lower (i) at T2 compared to T0, T1 and T3 in the EG and (ii) in EG compared to CG at T2. Blood pressure was lower during T2 compared to the other periods in EG. The EG experienced significant decreases in total cholesterol and triglycerides during T2. However, no significant changes between groups and periods was reported for all the other parameters. In conclusion, exergaming during RIF has a positive effect on body composition and physiological and psychological responses in adolescents with obesity.