Association of PC Use and TV Viewing Hours with Women’s Recreational Physical Activity and Its Impact on Their Obesity Indices

Background: Television (TV) viewing and computer (PC) use have been associated with poor health outcomes. Aim: To investigate the association of TV viewing and PC use with recreational physical activity energy expenditure (RPAEE), obesity indices, physical activity levels (PAL) and body fat percentage (BF%) of adult women. Methods: Bodyweight (BW), height, waist (WC) and hip (HC) circumferences of 150 adult women were measured. Body mass index (BMI) and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) were calculated. The BF% was measured by bioelectrical impedance analysis. The Athens Physical Activity Questionnaire was used to assess PAL, RPAE, TV viewing and PC hours. Results: The majority of women (53%) were overweight and obese, watched TV for >14 hr/wk (59%), and almost half (47%) of them used computers for >1 hr/day. Slightly more than half of them (54%) had a sedentary lifestyle and reported exercise participation for <2 hr/wk. No walking for leisure was reported by one-third of the subjects, while an alarming low percentage (0.7%) walked only 2.5 hr/wk. No participation in informal physical activity was reported by 69%. RPAEE was estimated at 982 ± 973 kcal/wk and negatively correlated to TV-watching hours (r = –0.31, p < 0.05), computer use (r = –0.3, p < 0.05), BMI (r = –0.44, p < 0.01), BW (r = –0.44, p < 0.01), WC (r = –0.41, p < 0.01), WHR (r = –0.31, p = 0.01). Moreover, RPAEE and BF% were negatively correlated (r = –0.44, p < 0.01). BF% was associated with long hours of PC use and TV watching (R2 = 0.11, F1.148 = 17.94, p = 0.00; R2 = 0.14, F1.148 = 5.4, p = 0.002). Conclusion: Screen use affecting obesity indices seemed to overrun recreational time for physical activity participation and dominate women’s lifestyle. Further research targeting behavioral change practices is recommended. Keywords: obesity, women, physical activity, recreational physical activity expenditure

Integration of Healthy Eating Habits and Physical Activity through Nutrition Care Process to Tackle the Obesity Epidemic: A Narrative Review of the Evidence

Background: Obesity is a rising global health problem which is already at epidemic proportions. Effective methods of treatment are required and should be imparted by efficient means to dietitians and other health professionals dealing with weight management. Research shows that behavioral modification techniques are the most effective way to achieve and maintain a healthy weight compared to diet and physical activity alone. Aim: This narrative review focusses on diet and physical activity behavioral modification techniques to promote effective weight management for sedentary and active adults using the Nutrition Care Process (NCP). Methods: PubMed, Scopus, Embase, Science Direct, Web of Science and Pro-Quest databases were searched for relevant articles. Results: A healthy eating habit is one of the contributing factors to improved health. Physical activities also help improve and maintain one’s health. This article discusses the importance of eating habits and physical activities among school students. In addition, health issues related to eating habits and the practice of physical activities are also highlighted. Overall, the results revealed that healthy eating habits and regular physical activities help in maintaining good health. Conclusion: NCP is a systematic approach to provide high-quality nutrition care. Using the NCP does not mean that all clients get the same care. Use of a care process provides a framework for the dietitian to individualize care, taking into account clients’ needs and values, and using the best evidence available to make decisions. Keywords: obesity, weight control, physical activity, nutrition knowledge, eating habits, nutrition care process

Editorial

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Conference Short Report – Dubai Hosts 7th International Nutrition Congress

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Microbial Load of Chicken Shawerma and the Handlers’ Compliance with Food Safety Practices in Jordan

Background: Shawerma is a popular traditional food in the Eastern Mediterranean region. Aim: The aim of this study was to assess the shawerma handlers’ compliance with food safety practices and determine the microbial load and pathogenic organisms in the ready-to-eat chicken shawerma sandwiches in the restaurants of Amman, Jordan. Methods: This cross-sectional study used mixed methods including observational checklists to determine the compliance of food safety practices by 120 chicken shawerma handlers from 40 randomly selected restaurants in Amman. Additionally, pathogenic microorganisms were assessed by laboratory analysis in the ready-to-eat chicken shawerma sandwiches. Results: Only 2.5% and 10% complied, respectively, with separating knives and boards used for chicken from the ones used for vegetables. The compliance for maintaining proper temperatures for freezers and chillers were only 62% and 67%, respectively. As for hand-washing techniques and using disposable drying papers, the adherence was 5% and 7.5%, respectively. Laboratory analysis showed that 27.5% of the ready-to-eat shawerma had unacceptable levels of microorganisms. Conclusion: Our findings showed poor compliance of food safety practices in chicken shawerma restaurants of Amman. There is a need for capacity building and periodic evaluations of food handlers’ knowledge and practices within a comprehensive food safety program, carried out by qualified trainers. Keywords: chicken shawerma, food safety, Jordan

Multimedia As a New Approach for Learning in Physical Education

Aim: To present the relevant research results that enhance the possibilities presented today with the use of multimedia applications. An attempt was made to explain its importance in the learning process in general and motor skills in particular. At the same time, we try to define the implementation process and the flags that need attention for the best possible results. Nowadays the use of digital technology has reached very high levels. Especially in the last two years with the COVID-19 pandemic, where distance learning was most used. Teachers have learned to use these digital tools to create attractive lessons for their students, who are already introduced to digital technology in their lives. The use of multimedia in education, as many research suggests, is a modern learning tool in the classroom, but recently they have been used in both physical education and sport. The effectiveness of multimedia use is based on the theory of visualization of information that helps the student store this information in their memory for subsequent recall, make the course more attractive/pleasant, so students are motivated to learn. In PA and sports it is used as a helpful tool, since the master of learning is practice. The means used to present multimedia in the classroom can be tablets, mobile phones, a laptop with a large screen view at the same time.

Effect of Healthy Lifestyle Interventions in Schools of Jazan City, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: A Quasi-experimental Study

Background Unhealthy dietary habits and lifestyle among adolescents is considered as a risk factor for nutrition-related diseases in adulthood. The objective of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of a healthy lifestyle intervention—including physical activity (PA) and eating habits (EH)—among female students in Jizan City, southwest Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). Methods A representative sample of 565 school students aged 12–15 years was randomly selected from four schools in Jizan, KSA. The PA and EH were assessed using a validated self-administered questionnaire. A pre-post quasi-experimental study was implemented in three phases. Results Following the intervention, the school children in the intervention groups showed a significant improvement in their EH and PA. These improvements were documented in increased physical walking measured by the number of students walking daily, the number of days walked, and the time spent on vigorous activities (54.11 ± 54.89 to 63.24 ± 76.16). Fruits and vegetables had a similar consumption frequency in both the intervention and control groups. The snacks were frequently consumed among intervention group with a significant increase in the mean number from 1.64 ± 0.93 to 1.96 ± 1.13 (p = 0.000) and fast food were less frequently consumed among intervention group than the control group (p = 0.000). The prevalence of obesity in the intervention group was reduced from 16.3% to 12.9%, while it was significantly increased from 17.6% to 19.0% in the control group (p = 0.0148). Weight decreased by 0.37 kg in the intervention group, while it increased by 0.07 kg in the control group, but with no statistically significant increase. Conclusion: In conclusion, healthy lifestyle interventions can improve short- and long-term outcomes in school children. When examining the health benefits of healthy lifestyle, the importance of dietary and PA behaviors should be considered. Keywords: lifestyle, dietary habits, physical activity, chronic diseases, Jazan-KSA

Prevalence of Complications in Type 2 Diabetics in Dubai, UAE: A Cross-sectional Study

Background: Diabetes complications have been increasingly prevalent among type 2 diabetics during the past decades causing high rates of morbidity and mortality. Measures of the prevalence of diabetes complications will lead to preventive decisions and planning of health care. The main objective of this study was to assess the prevalence rates of complications in Type 2 diabetics in two Diabetes Centers in Dubai. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive analytical study conducted among type 2 diabetics attending diabetes centers in Dubai. Data was collected form secondary source using patients' records from two diabetes centers involved in the study. Random sampling technique was used to collect 150 patients proportionally allocated according to the total patients (4700 attending patients) available in the two diabetes centers. Data obtained was analyzed using SPSS v.22. Descriptive statistics were calculated (mean, standard deviation, and percentages). Chi-square test was used to compare frequencies between groups. The significance level was set at 0.05. Results: The study showed that the most dominant prevalence type of complications were: Hyperlipidemia (84%), Neuropathy (34%), Dyslipidemia (32%), Retinopathy (28%), Lethargy (21.3%), and Nephropathy (16.7%). The associations made between three variables each separately (Date of First Visit, HbA1c, and Fasting Blood Glucose) with the prevalence type of complications, showed significant differences in some types: Dyslipidemia, Hyperlipidemia, Neuropathy, Retinopathy, and Joint & Bone pain. Conclusions: There is a reasonable correlation between different variables and the prevalence of complications among the diabetic population, thus studies should always follow up on this issue in order to have clear associations to prevent complications from occurring in the first place.

The Effect of Training Mothers on Modifying the Meal Boxes of their Preschoolers with Vegetables and Fruits in the Sub-district of Tangerang, Tangerang City, Banten Province

Background: Preschooler is a group who is at risk of having low-interest in consuming fruits and vegetables. The low-consumption of vegetables in children is influenced by the mother's lack of knowledge and incomplete composition of food. One way to improve vegetables and fruits consumption was through training in modifying meal box. Objectives: This study purposed at determining the effect of Modifying Meal Box Training to Increase Vegetables and Fruits Consumption for Preschool Children. Method: This study used a quasi-experimental research method with pre-test and post-test control group design. Involving 40 mothers who took their children to school, this study conducted in the Pengayoman Kindergarten and Trisula Kindergarten in Tangerang City. The results of statistical tests showed that there were differences in knowledge before and after the intervention in the control group and the treatment group. Results: However, after the intervention there was no significant difference in knowledge in the control group and the treatment group with p value of 0.770. There were differences in food composition and consuming vegetables and fruits before and after the intervention in the treatment group. On the other hand, there were no differences in consuming vegetables and fruits consumption before and after intervention in the control group. After the intervention had been given, there was no significant difference in knowledge in the control group and the treatment group with p value of 0.270. Conclusions: Nevertheless, there are differences in the level of knowledge in the control group and the treatment group.

An assessment of the nutritional status of students in governmental primary schools in U.A.Q.

Aim: To provide a summary of the recent data on the nutritional status of school-aged children in developing countries and countries in transition and identify issues of public health concern. An assessment of the nutritional status of students in governmental primary schools in U.A.Q.Methods: A retrospective study was conducted from 2016 to 2017 on the nutrition status of Grade 1 school children in Government primary schools. The data was collected from questionnaires that were distributed routinely.Results: A total of 317 students from 7 different primary public schools in UAQ, with an age range from 5-7 years. Students with Chronic diseases, congenital anomalies, and hereditary diseases were excluded. The available data indicate that the nutritional status of the students in the reviewed schools is adequate. Where it has shown that mean body mass index (BMI) was 15.2. Underweight, Overweight obesity was not prominent with a percentage of 12% and 10 % respectively. As for anemia, only 7% were diagnosed biochemically. With the mean hemoglobin of 12.1 mg/dl overall. Conclusions. The available data indicate that malnutrition is not a health issue in primary students in UAQ primary public schools. These findings emphasize the impact of the school health program on primary students.