Lifestyle patterns and their associations with overweight and obesity among children aged 4-9 years in the United Arab Emirates.

Abstract

An integrative approach addressing diet as well as other lifestyle factors is warranted in studying obesity and its related diseases. The objective of this study is to examine the associations of lifestyle patterns with overweight/obesity among children in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Data were derived from a cross-sectional survey of children aged 4 to 9 years living in Dubai, Sharjah, and Abu Dhabi (n=426). Dietary intake was collected using a 24-hour dietary recall (24-HR) and evaluated with the Healthy Eating Index (HEI). The Youth Physical Activity Questionnaire (Y-PAQ) assessed physical activity, while other lifestyle factors included presence of a live-in household helper, number of electronic devices in the child's bedroom, eating while watching TV, family dinner frequency, fast food and breakfast consumption, and hours of sleep. Factor analysis was used to identify the lifestyle patterns. Two lifestyle patterns emerged: an unhealthy pattern marked by higher fast-food intake, eating while watching TV, having a live-in household helper, and lower family dinners; and a healthy pattern with higher physical activity, better HEI, more sleep, micronutrient supplements, and breakfast consumption. The healthy lifestyle pattern was linked to a 30% reduction in overweight/obesity odds (OR= 0.7, 95% CI: 0.53-0.93). A healthy lifestyle pattern, characterized by higher physical activity, better dietary quality, adequate sleep, and breakfast consumption, is associated with lower odds of overweight/obesity among children in the UAE. These findings highlight the importance of promoting comprehensive lifestyle interventions to effectively address childhood obesity in this population.