TITLE:
A Cluster Analysis of Lifestyle and Health Habits of Youth from Two Geographically and Culturally Diverse Countries
AUTHORS:
Yahya Al-Nakeeb, Lorna J. Dodd, Mark Lyons, Peter Collins, Anwar Al-Nuaim
KEYWORDS:
Clustering; Risk Factors; Youth; Diet; Physical Activity; Body Mass Index
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Preventive Medicine,
Vol.4 No.4,
April
11,
2014
ABSTRACT:
Objectives: Obesity is a leading
risk factor for global mortality, promoted by poor dietary habits and sedentary
behaviour. This study explores the clustering and differences in dietary
habits, body mass index (BMI) and physical activity (PA) amongst youth from
United Kingdom (UK) and Saudi Arabia (SA). Methods: 2290 males and females aged
15-17 years completed a self-report questionnaire and an objective measure of
BMI. Results: Youth from SA had a higher prevalence of overweight/obesity and
lower levels of PA than youth from the UK. Males were more physically active
than females across both countries. Three clusters were identified: a “high risk”
cluster with least healthy dietary habits, low PA and high BMI; a “moderate
cluster” with moderate healthy dietary
habits, PA and BMI; a “low risk” cluster with healthiest dietary habits,
greatest PA and the lowest BMI compared to the other clusters. There were more
SA youth in the high and moderate risk clusters compared to UK youth. Conclusions:
Exploring cross-cultural and demographic characteristics of youth enables the
identification of similarities and differences that might lead to the development
of universal intervention strategies.