Nutritional factors associated with obesity in adolescent females in the United Arab Emirates
The prevalence of overweight and obesity in children and adolescents is increasing rapidly in developed and developing countries. This study was conducted in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to ascertain the extent and the nature of this problem. The UAE has undergone a rapid change in socio-economic status. This change has affected many aspects of life in the UAE. The prevalence of overweight and obesity and the contributing factors were investigated in a sample of (n=898) young children and adolescent females in the UAE. The prevalence of overweight was the highest at age 10 years (30%) and lowest at age 17 years (7%). The prevalence of obesity was the highest at age 11 years (15%) and the lowest at age 13 and 15 years (6%). Food intake and food habits have also been influenced by the rapid change in socio-economic status. Traditional foods have been replaced by new foods. Snack foods of high energy density and the consumption of greater energy intake at weekends compared to schooldays was a consistent observation. The study also showed that the adolescent females were engaged in low levels of physical activity and most of their activities were limited to sleeping and sitting activities. The possible explanation of the high prevalence of overweight and obesity among adolescent females may be attributable to the high dependence on the housemaids, consumption of high energy density foods and the difficulties in undertaking physical exercise due to cultural and weather conditions. An examination of energy intake, basal metabolic rate and energy balance in a group of seven women in UK was shown to be influenced by the phases of the menstrual cycle. The wide intra-individual variability in basal metabolic rate during the menstrual cycle may explain why women may be more prone than men to become obese.
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