Nutrition Lifestyle of Children in Riyadh-Saudi Arabia - Term Paper Example

Topic: Nutrition Lifestyle of Children in Riyadh-Saudi Arabia Name: Registration Number: Institution: Tutor’s name: Date of Submission: Research Methods TABLE OF CONTENTS 1.Introduction 3 2.Research Design and Data collection Methods 4 2.1.Ethical Consideration 4 2.2.Research Objectives 4 2.3.Data collected 5 3.Results and Analysis 5 Table 1. Responses in terms of levels of education 6 Figure 1. Graphical illustration of Participant’s level of education 7 Figure 2. Household income of respondents 7 Table 2. Responses on consumption of sugary drinks by children of respondents 8 Figure 3. Graphical illustration of consumption of fruits, vegetables, snacks, milk, cheese and fast foods by children of resondents. 9 Figure 4. Graphical illustration of lifestyles of children of participants 10 Figure 5. Responses showing consumption of various foods by their children 10 Table 3. Summary of contributing factors to obesity among children in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia 11 Figure 6. Grahpgh of contributing factors toobesity among Saudi Arabian children 12 Figure 7. Bodies to be held responsible for nutritional lifestyles of children in Saudi Arabia 12 Figure 8. Contributing factors to obesity among children in Saudi Arabia 13 4.Discussion and Limitations 13 5.Conclusions and recommendations 14 References 15 Appendix 15 LIST OF TABLES Table 1. Responses in terms of levels of education 6 Table 2. Responses on consumption of sugary drinks by children of respondents 8 Table 3. Summary of contributing factors to obesity among children in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia 11 LIST OF FIGURES Figure 1. Graphical illustration of Participant’s level of education 7 Figure 2. Household income of respondents 7 Figure 3. Graphical illustration of consumption of fruits, vegetables, snacks, milk, cheese and fast foods by children of resondents. 9 Figure 4. Graphical illustration of lifestyles of children of participants 10 Figure 5. Responses showing consumption of various foods by their children 10 Figure 6. Grahpgh of contributing factors toobesity among Saudi Arabian children 12 Figure 7. Bodies to be held responsible for nutritional lifestyles of children in Saudi Arabia 12 Figure 8. Contributing factors to obesity among children in Saudi Arabia 13 1. Introduction There has been concern in the Ministry of Health in Saudi Arabia with respect to the level of knowledge of parents about the nutritional lifestyles of their children. This has been contributed by increased cases of obesity among children in Riaydh. This is aimed at cresting measures that can be used to equip parents with the skills of understand nutritional lifestyles of their children so that they can control obesity among them. The purpose of this research was to provide an understanding of the level of awareness of parents towards their children’s nutrition and lifestyle and child obesity in Saudi Arabia. This was aimed at coming up with a health promotional program that would ensure parents provided good nutrition and lifestyles for their children in the elementary school age. 2. Research Design and Data collection Methods The research design involved in this study is primary research where first-hand information is obtained from parents of children in Saudi Arabia and then analyzing the responses. The design involved providing the parents with designed questionnaires which contained a series of questions that they were supposed to answer and give the results to the researchers. Data completion method was an n interview that involved survey of parents of different demographic characteristics such as age, employment status and health statuses. During this research, a total of 114 parents were interviewed and all the parents returned the questionnaires. This ensured the relationship between these demographic characteristics could be established. The data collected were then analyzed using Microsoft Excel to provide a better understanding of the responses from the study. 2.1. Ethical Consideration During the research process, there are a number of ethical considerations that were made which ensured the researcher did not violate ethical requirements for collection of data for professional use. For instance, the researcher ensured the respondents were informed in advance about the intention to conduct the research. This was achieved by seeking their approval so that only those who agreed to take part in the research were provided with questionnaires. In addition, the researcher ensured the respondents were assured of confidentiality and the research could not disclose private information about them. The researcher also ensured the respondents were assured of anonymity and the responses would not be used for any other purposes other than to answer the research questions and achieve the research objectives. 2.2. Research Objectives The objectives of this research included the following: I. To establish the understanding of parents about their children’s nutrition statuses II. To analyze the level of Saudi Arabian parents understanding about obesity in their children III. To establish an understanding of the lifestyles of their children IV. To determine the methods used by parents to obtain information about heath statuses of their children 2.3. Data collected During the study, various forms of data were collected such as demographic characteristics that include gender, part of Riyadh where they lived, age, number of children they had, level of education, household income and the people who attended to their children’s food in general. The second part of the questionnaire required the respondents to provide information about their children’s weight such as the level of concern about their weights and whether they had sought the assistance of health physicians due to weight problems. They were also required to provide information about their children’s weight, age and gender. The third part of the questionnaire required an understanding of the parents about their children’s food and drink activities such as their understanding of breakfast intakes, lunch intake and the use of school cafeteria for their nutritional needs. They were also required to provide information about weekly routine in terms of the number of meals served. The questionnaire also required an understanding of parents about the lifestyles of their children in such areas as watching TV, using computers, playing indoor games or playing outdoor games such as football. In addition, the questionnaire collected information such as the number of times in a week that their children used soft drinks, ate vegetables, took milk, ate fast foods such as McDonald’s products and drank milk and dairy such as yoghurt. The third part of the questionnaire required the parents to illustrate how they understood their children’s obesity such as their knowledge of the contributing factors to obesity. They were also required to explain the extent to which different organizations and professionals were responsible for addressing childhood obesity in Riyadh. The main stakeholders included the Ministry of Health, Food Industry, Schools, Media and Children themselves. The last question required parents to explain the reasons why children were likely to be obese and the responses were recorded in percentages. 3. Results and Analysis In terms of age, the male respondents were 31 (27.2%0 while female respondents were 77 (67.5%). In terms of areas of residence in Riyadh City, 18 lived in the North, 17 lived in the East, 17 lived in the West, and 55 lived in the South. In terms of age, the highest numbers of respndnets were aged 35 and 4 years while the lowest numbers of respondents were aged 28 years old. In terms of the number of children each parent had, 53 had 1 child, 42 had 2 children and 14 had 3 children. In terms of level of education, 7 were intermediate, 40 were high school graduates, 49 were Undergraduate Degree holders, 9 were postgraduate Degree holders and 2 were Diploma holders. This is illustrated in the figure below: Q5.a. What is the highest level of education you and your partner have completed?(Father) Frequency Percent Valid Percent Cumulative Percent Valid Intermediate 7 6.1 6.6 6.6 High School 40 35.1 37.7 44.3 University 49 43.0 46.2 90.6 Postgraduate 8 7.0 7.5 98.1 Diploma 2 1.8 1.9 100.0 Total 106 93.0 100.0 Missing System 8 7.0 Total 114 100.0 Table 1. Responses in terms of levels of education Figure 1. Graphical illustration of Participant’s level of education In terms of the highest level of education that had been achieved by partners of respondents, 14 were intermediate, 25 were high school graduates, 61 were bachelor’s Graduates and 4 were postgraduates. In terms of total household income, it was found that 19 had income of 4999 RS or below per annum, 25 had 5000-9999 RS per annum, 28 had 10000-14999 RS per annum and 35 more than 15000 RS per annum. Figure 2. Household income of respondents It was also found that in terms of the person responsible for the child’s food, 83.3% were mothers, 5.3% were housemaids, and others were 2.6%. When the respondents were asked to explain the level of their concerns about their own weights, it was found that 22 (19.3%) were not concerned at all, 43 (37.7%) were a little concerned, 29 (25.4%) were somewhat concerned and 18 (15.8%0 were very concerned. When the respondents were asked to explain whether their doctors had explained to them that they were overweight, 38 (33.3%) agreed and 65.8 (66.4%) disagreed. When the respondents were asked to explain whether they had tried to control their weights, 59 (51.8%) agreed and 54 (47.4%) disagreed. In terms of the weights of respondents, it was found that the weight with the highest frequency was 60 kg and the weight with the lowest frequency was 49 kg. When the heights of respondents were asked, it was found that the highest number of respondents had a height of 160 cm and the lowest number had a height of 172 cm. In terms of gender of the first child, it was found that male were 56 (41.9%) while females were 49 (43%). I terms of age of children, it was found that the highest number of children were aged 11 years and the lowest number were aged 12 years. In terms of the weights of children, it was found that the weight with the maximum frequency was 25 kg and the weight with the least frequency was 31 kg. In terms of heights of children, it was found that the height with the highest frequency was 120 cm and the height with the lowest frequency was 151 cm. When respondents were asked to explain whether they thought their children to be overweight, 19 (16.7%) agreed and 72 (63.2%) disagreed. This process was repeated to obtain demographic characteristics of the second child. The research also found that the highest number of children ate breakfast 5 times in a day while the highest number of those who ate snacks was 5 as well. When it was inquired whether the respondents bought lunch in the school cafeteria, it was found that the highest number bought the food stuffs 5 times in a day while the highest number of those who ate snacks in from of a TV did so 5 times in a day. When it was inquired whether the respondents took snack or dessert with the meals, 10% agreed and 10% strongly agreed while 13% were not sure. When it was investigated whether respondent’s children drank sugary products such as sugar juice, energy drinks and Al-Rabie, it was found that 5 never took any drink, 7 took the drinks once in a week, 17 took the drinks once a week, 24 2-3 times a week, 24 4-6 times a week and 31 every day a week. These results are illustrated in the figure below. Q15.1 Drink sugary drinks (sugar juice, energy drinks such as power horse, Al-Rabie, Capri sun) Frequency Percent Valid Percent Cumulative Percent Valid Never 5 4.4 4.6 4.6 Less than once a week 7 6.1 6.4 11.0 Once a week 17 14.9 15.6 26.6 2-3 times a week 24 21.1 22.0 48.6 4-6 times a week 24 21.1 22.0 70.6 Every day 31 27.2 28.4 99.1 More than once a day 1 .9 .9 100.0 Total 109 95.6 100.0 Table 2. Responses on consumption of sugary drinks by children of respondents An analysis was conducted of consumption of snacks, milk, cheese and fast foods by the children of respondents and illustrated as shown in the figure below. Figure 3. Graphical illustration of consumption of fruits, vegetables, snacks, milk, cheese and fast foods by children of resondents. In terms of lifestyles of children of participants, the paramenters were classified as watching TV, using Computers, Electronic Games, Blocks/dolls and cars and fottball and others. The results were graphically as illustrated in the figure below. Figure 4. Graphical illustration of lifestyles of children of participants Figure 5. Responses showing consumption of various foods by their children The third part of the quesionaire investigaed the knowledhde and opinions of parents towards their children’s obesity. The impacts of various factors to obesity were investigated and parents were allowed to provided ansers in terms of a five-point scale ranging from ‘Strongly Disagree’ with a score of 1 to ‘Strongly Agree’with a score of 5. In terms of the impacts of genetic factors to obesity 13 resondents strongly disagreed, 9 agreed,12 neither agreed nor disagreed, 60 agreed and 17 strongly agreed. In terms of lack of parent’s concern about children’s weight, it was found that 10 strongly disagreed, 6 disagreed, 21 neither agreed nor disagreed, 53 agreed, 23 strongly agreed. In terms of parent’s lack of knowledge about healthy eating, 10 strongly disagreed, 5 disagreed, 18 neither agreed nor disagreed, 48 agreed and 30 stronly agreed. In terms of lack of physical activity at school, it was found that 4 strongly disagreed, 6 disagreed, 12 neither agreed nor dsagreed, 35 agreed and 54 strongly agreed. I terms of lack of physical activity during the holidays, it was found that 3 strongly disagreed, 5 disagreed, 20 neither agreed nor disagreed, 43 agreed and 40 strongly agreed. In terms of lack of prevention program in the health centers, it was found that 7 strongly disagreed, 12 disagreed, 43 agreed and 23 strongly agreed. These results are summerised n the table below.   Lack of parents concerns Lack of knowledge Lack of Physical activity Lack of interest Consumption of fast-food Consumption of high calorie foods Impact of media Lack of playgrounds Healthy Food Expensive Lack of prevention program Strongly disagree 10 10 4 4 5 3 3 3 34 7 Disagree 6 5 6 8 2 8 5 6 26 12 neither agree nor disagree 21 18 12 23 4 18 15 16 19 28 Agree 53 48 35 39 29 35 46 36 21 43 Strongly agree 23 30 54 38 73 46 43 50 11 23 Table 3. Summary of contributing factors to obesity among children in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia Figure 6. Grahpgh of contributing factors toobesity among Saudi Arabian children In terms of the responsibility that various bodies should have over management of obesity in Saudi Arabia, various bodies were used. In terms of the responsibility of the Ministry of Health involvement 13strongly disagreed, 7 disagreed, 21 neither agreed nor disagreed, 11 agreed and 58 strongly agreed. In terms of the responsibility being on Food insdustry, 2 strongly disagreed, 5 adisagreed, 15 neither agreed nor disagreed, 21 areed and 65 strongly agreed. In terms of schools, it was found that 13 strongly disagreed, 6 disagreed, 21 neither agreed nor disagreed, 26 agreed and 44 strongly agreed. These results are summerized in the figure below. Figure 7. Bodies to be held responsible for nutritional lifestyles of children in Saudi Arabia In terms of where parents learn about healthy lifestyles of their children, it was found that the amain areas where they obtained the information included doctors, health education cenetrs and hospitals, newspapers and internet. In terms of the contributing factors to obesity, it was found that those who selected the impacts of fast foods were 12 (10.5%), those who selected lack of physical activity were 5 (4.4%), those who selected lack of health and nutrition education programs were 4 (3.5%), those who selected prevalence of obesity in Saudi arabia were 30 (26.4%) impacts of child health and causes different diseases were 45 (39.5%) and lack of children gymes 2 (1.7%). Figure 8. Contributing factors to obesity among children in Saudi Arabia 4. Discussion and Limitations According to nutritional observations of children in the current generation, consumption of fats foods such as snacks has contributed significantly towards ceases of obesity in children. This is similar to observations of this study where it was found that most children consumed plenty of fast foods. There has also been reduced consumption of fruits and increased use of soft drinks which is a contributing factor to obesity. In addition, most parents reported that their children consumed a lot of cheese and yoghurt which is a contributing factor to obesity. In addition, it is fund that most parents did not encourage their children to play outdoor games such as football which is a contributing factor to weight loss. Consequently, there was a high possibility that their children could be exposed to obesity. It was also observed that there was a high consumption of sugary foods and snacks which arecontribut8ing factors to obesity among children. There were also other practices in schools which could be contributing factors to increased obesity among children. For instance, the sales of these foods in school cafeteria provide the students with the opportunity to eat as much food as they could irrespective of the danger of contracting obesity. Furthermore, most children in Riyadh are involved in activities such as watching T.V, use of computers, playing electronic games and indoor games while they have very little time for playing active sports such as football. This has increased chances of becoming obese. This study also shows that parents in Riyadh have very little knowledge about obesity and contributing factors to the condition. However, the main contributing factors include reduced physical activity, overconsumption of fast foods, consumption of foods with high calories contents, lack of policies for control of obesity among children and reduced participation in physical activities such as sports or cycling. However, there is the need for parents to advocate for involvement of organizations that control obesity in children such as the Ministry of Health, Food Industry, Schools and the Media so that efforts can be made to control prevalence of obesity among them. It is found that this study has a number of limitations which prevent the attainment of goals of the study. Fr instance, it does not provide methods that parents can use to ensure children do not over-eat fast foods and also does not suggest the duration of physical activity that children should play. This study also does not explain the relevant organization that should be held accountable for the control of diabetes in Saudi Arabia. It also ignores the views of children, thus there is a high possibility that inaccurate data was collected rung the research. 5. Conclusions and recommendations This paper shows that generally, parents do not have the right knowledge regarding nutritional health status of their children and thus they are unable to know whether the children face the risk of suffering from obesity. However, this study shows that the main areas that parents need to focus on include ensuring their children do not eat high quantities of fast foods such as snacks, cheese and yogurt. In addition, it is found that when children are encouraged to take part in active sports such as football, there is s high possibility of increased metabolism of fats in the body which results into reduced risks of obesity. It is also found that organizations such as schools can contribute to a controlled consumption of fast foods and sugary foods by providing a nutritional guidance which eliminates these foods. Finally, this paper recommends that future studies should be focused on methods of training that professionals should be equipped with so that that they can educate parents about the right nutrition for their children. In addition, it is recommended that future studies should provide strategies in which parents can watch their children so that they can establish whether the children are suffering from obesity. This will ensure corrective measures are taken so that the children are not adversely affected as a result of severity of the condition. References Blas, E., Kurup, A. S., & Światowa Organizacja Zdrowia. (2010). Equity, social determinants and public health programmes. Geneva: World Health Organization. Moreno, A. L., Pigeot, I., & Ahrens, W. (2011). Epidemiology of obesity in children and adolescents: Prevalence and etiology. New York: Springer. O'Dea, J. A., & Eriksen, M. P. (2010). Childhood obesity prevention: International research, controversies, and interventions. Oxford [U.K: Oxford University Press. Wanjek, C. (2005). Food at work: Workplace solutions for malnutrition, obesity and chronic diseases. Geneva: ILO. Appendix Questionnaire First Part: All about you and your child/ children. (Please tick the correct answer in each Question) Questions from 1 to 7are general information. 1. Are you the child`s: Father Mother 2. Where do you live in Riyadh? North East West South 3. How old are you? (Please state in year)………… 4. How many children between 5 to 11 years old you have? (Please write number).… 5. What is the highest level of education you and your partner have completed?(Please tick correct answer) a) Father Secondary High school Bachelor Postgraduate b) Mother Secondary High school Bachelor Postgraduate 6. What is your total household income? Up to 4999 RS 5000- 9999 RS 10000- 14999RS More than 15000 7. Who is responsible for your child/ children’s food in general? Questions from 8 to 13 are about you and your child/ children’s weight. (Please tick one response) 8. How concerned are you with your own weight? Not at all concerned A little concerned Somewhat concerned Very concerned 9. Has your doctor ever told you that you are/were overweight? Yes No 10. Have you ever tried to control your weight? Yes No 11.How much do you weigh in kilograms? ………kg 12. How tall are you in centimeters? ………cm 15. Thinking about weekly routine, how many servings of each did your child have? Please tick the relevant box Never Less than once a week Once a week 2-3 times a week 4-6 times a week Every day More than once a day Drink sugary drinks (sugar juice, energy drinks such as power horse, Al-Rabie, Capri sun) Drink soft drink or cola Some fruit Some vegetable Fast food snacks or meals Cup of milk Milk dairy such as cheese and yogurt Eat fast food meals (MacDonald’s, KFC, Subway, Burger King) 16. During an average day, how much time does your child spend with each of the following activities by hours. Please circle your answer Watching T.V or DVD Never Less than 1 hour Between 1-2 hours 3 hours + Using computer Never Less than 1 hour Between 1-2 hours 3 hours + Playing electronic games. Never Less than 1 hour Between 1-2 hours 3 hours + Playing indoor (blocks, dolls, cars) Never Less than 1 hour Between 1-2 hours 3 hours + Playing outdoor (football, bicycle or other) Never Less than 1 hour Between 1-2 hours 3 hours + (Second child): Questions17, 18 and 19 are about your second child`s food, drinks and activities 17. How many times a week does your child? Please circle the relevant number Eat breakfast 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Bring a snack lunch to school 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Buy lunch from school cafeteria. 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Eat snack or meal in front of the T.V. 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Eat a snack or dessert with the meal (biscuits, chips, ice-cream) 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 18. Thinking about weekly routine, how many servings of each did your child have? Please tick the relevant box Never Less than once a week Once a week 2-3 times a week 4-6 times a week Every day More than once a day Drink sugary drinks (sugar juice, energy drinks such as power horse, Al-Rabie, Capri sun) Drink soft drink or cola Some fruit Some vegetable Fast food snacks or meals Cup of milk Milk &dairy such as cheese and yogurt Eat fast food meals (MacDonald’s, KFC, Subway, Burger King) 21. Thinking about weekly routine, how many servings of each did your child have? Please tick the relevant box Never Less than once a week Once a week 2-3 times a week 4-6 times a week Every day More than once a day Drink sugary drinks (sugar juice, energy drinks such as power horse, Al-Rabie, Capri sun) Drink soft drink or cola Some fruit Some vegetable Fast food snacks or meals Cup of milk Milk &dairy such as cheese and yogurt Eat fast food meals (MacDonald’s, KFC, Subway, Burger King) 24. How much responsibility do you believe each of following have in addressing childhood obesity in Saudi? On scale of 1 – 5 (with 1 being very little and 5 a lot) Please circle your answers Very little……………………....…..A lot Ministry of health. 1 2 3 4 5 Food Industry. 1 2 3 4 5 Doctors/ Health care providers. 1 2 3 4 5 Schools. 1 2 3 4 5 Media. 1 2 3 4 5 Children themselves (self-control/ behavior). 1 2 3 4 5 25. In general, where do you obtain information about a healthy life style especially regarding nutrition and physical activity for children? Doctors Health education centers in hospitals News paper Internet Other. Please explain. …………….. 26. Do you think childhood obesity is a serious health problem in Saudi? Yes No 27 Please explain your reason/s for your response.…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….…………………………………………………………………………………………………………..………………………………………………………………………………………. Read More