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An Investigation into the Lifestyle, Health Habits and Risk Factors of Young Adults

Author

Listed:
  • Yahya Al-Nakeeb

    (College of Education, Qatar University, Doha 2713, Qatar)

  • Mark Lyons

    (Biomechanics Research Unit, Department of Physical Education & Sport Sciences, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland)

  • Lorna J. Dodd

    (Department of Psychology and Counselling, Newman University, Birmingham, B32 3NT, UK)

  • Anwar Al-Nuaim

    (Department of Physical Education, King Faisal University, Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia)

Abstract

This project examined the lifestyle, health habits and risk factors of young adults at Qatar University. It explored the clustering and differences in dietary habits, body mass index (BMI) and physical activity (PA) amongst male and female students, both Qatari and non-Qatari. Seven hundred thirty two students aged 18–25 years completed a self-reported questionnaire and an objective measure of BMI. Males and females had a high prevalence of being overweight and obesity and low levels of PA, according to well-established international standards. Three clusters were identified based on the students’ lifestyle and dietary habits. Cluster 1 (high risk factors) included those who engaged the least in healthy dietary practices and consumed the most unhealthy foods, participated in less PA and had the highest BMI. Cluster 2 (moderate risk factors) included those with considerably more habits falling into the moderate category, engagement in the most PA, the least TV and computer viewing time and had the lowest BMI. Cluster 3 (low risk factors) included those who engaged the most with the four healthy dietary practices, the least with the four unhealthy dietary practices and participated in moderate PA per week. This project provides valuable data that could be used by policy makers to address issues concerning student’s health.

Suggested Citation

  • Yahya Al-Nakeeb & Mark Lyons & Lorna J. Dodd & Anwar Al-Nuaim, 2015. "An Investigation into the Lifestyle, Health Habits and Risk Factors of Young Adults," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 12(4), pages 1-15, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:12:y:2015:i:4:p:4380-4394:d:48539
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Franco Sassi & Marion Devaux & Michele Cecchini & Elena Rusticelli, 2009. "The Obesity Epidemic: Analysis of Past and Projected Future Trends in Selected OECD Countries," OECD Health Working Papers 45, OECD Publishing.
    2. Yahya Al-Nakeeb & Mark Lyons & Peter Collins & Anwar Al-Nuaim & Hazzaa Al-Hazzaa & Michael J. Duncan & Alan Nevill, 2012. "Obesity, Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior Amongst British and Saudi Youth: A Cross-Cultural Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 9(4), pages 1-17, April.
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    Cited by:

    1. Petra María Pérez Alonso-Geta & M. Carmen Bellver Moreno, 2020. "Hygiene and Eating Healthy Habits and Practices in Spanish Families with Children Aged 6 to 14," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(22), pages 1-11, November.
    2. Naif Albujulaya & Clare Stevinson, 2023. "Exercise Promotion in Saudi Arabia: Understanding Personal, Environmental, and Social Determinants of Physical Activity Participation and Well-Being," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(4), pages 1-13, February.
    3. Diego A. Bonilla & Isabel A. Sánchez-Rojas & Darío Mendoza-Romero & Yurany Moreno & Jana Kočí & Luis M. Gómez-Miranda & Daniel Rojas-Valverde & Jorge L. Petro & Richard B. Kreider, 2022. "Profiling Physical Fitness of Physical Education Majors Using Unsupervised Machine Learning," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(1), pages 1-13, December.
    4. Sonia Chaabane & Karima Chaabna & Sathyanarayanan Doraiswamy & Ravinder Mamtani & Sohaila Cheema, 2021. "Barriers and Facilitators Associated with Physical Activity in the Middle East and North Africa Region: A Systematic Overview," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(4), pages 1-21, February.

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