Journal of Obesity & Weight Loss Therapy
Open Access

Abstract

Obesity has become a major world-wide health issue. Social and economic factors may influence nutritional intake as a result of differing regional diets, lifestyles and cultures, and these require closer scrutiny. However, this issue has not been examined in studies of children in Saudi Arabia. The aim of this study was to assess energy and nutrient intakes of girls aged 8-11 years in western of Saudi Arabia according to socio-economic status (SES). Girls (n=134) participated from different schools (private n=4 and public n=3). Height and weight were measured and BMI was calculated. Girls were classified as obese, overweight, healthy weight and underweight according to BMI centile charts (CDC). Dietary intake was measured via a 4-day food diary and with the purpose of assessing the household socioeconomic status as classified by king Khalid foundation; parents or carers were asked to fill out a questionnaire attached to the diet diary. Dietary data was analyzed using Arab Food Analysis Programme 1st version 2007 analysis package. Data were statistically analyzed using SPSS version 21. Number of subjects according to their income status is presented in Table 1. Results showed that 17 out of 28 obese subjects were from high-income families, whereas 7 out of 14 underweight girls were from low-income families. Nevertheless, chi-square was not significant suggesting that being from any family income status would not affect the BMI status (Chi-Square=5.151-P=0.272). There was a positive correlation between the two variables, r=0.22, n=134, p<.0.05, with high levels of energy intake associated with high levels of income as shown in Table 2. To sum up, results showed that there is a positive relationship between energy intake and the family income status.

Biography

Rabab Alkutbe is currently a PhD candidate, examines the relationship between body composition, nutritional intake and physical activity in children. Since she completed her degree in Nutrition and Food Sciences in Saudi Arabia followed by a Diploma in Complementary Medicine (Herbal Medicine), she perused her passion, research which led to undertake a Master’s Degree in Public Health (Nutrition) in Australia in 2010. She is a highly competent Researcher and closely involved in the issue of childhood obesity and has intensive experience in aspects of Public Health.

Email: rubizizo@hotmail.com