Abstract
Aim: This study aims to assess the Palestinian girls’ dietary habits and physical activity
patterns as a baseline for intervention.
Methods: A cross-sectional study of grade 4 and 5 pupils (mean age: 11 years) in 14 all-girl
schools in East Jerusalem, of four different types of school ownership (overall N=897), was
conducted, using self-administered questionnaires and height and weight measurements.
Logistic regressions were conducted to determine predictors of healthy behaviours.
Results: Only 36.6% of the pupils reported eating breakfast daily, with UNRWA schools
having the highest rate of daily breakfast consumption (42.6%). About 28% reported eating
the recommended daily quantity of five portions of fruits and vegetables. Only 15% of the
pupils reported being active at least five days a week and more than one third of the
schoolchildren viewed TV for ≥4 hours a day. The prevalence of overweight and obesity was
22.2% and 7.6%, respectively, with private schools having the highest rates, 29.6% and
12.8% respectively (P=0.001). Additional predictors of overweight and obesity were: being
the first child in the family, watching TV for more than four hours a day, always eating while
watching TV and being physically active less than five days a week.
Conclusions: Most Palestinian pupils miss breakfast, eat less fruits and vegetables than
recommended and have sedentary behaviours. These findings raise serious concerns and
point to the urgent need for tailored interventions.
patterns as a baseline for intervention.
Methods: A cross-sectional study of grade 4 and 5 pupils (mean age: 11 years) in 14 all-girl
schools in East Jerusalem, of four different types of school ownership (overall N=897), was
conducted, using self-administered questionnaires and height and weight measurements.
Logistic regressions were conducted to determine predictors of healthy behaviours.
Results: Only 36.6% of the pupils reported eating breakfast daily, with UNRWA schools
having the highest rate of daily breakfast consumption (42.6%). About 28% reported eating
the recommended daily quantity of five portions of fruits and vegetables. Only 15% of the
pupils reported being active at least five days a week and more than one third of the
schoolchildren viewed TV for ≥4 hours a day. The prevalence of overweight and obesity was
22.2% and 7.6%, respectively, with private schools having the highest rates, 29.6% and
12.8% respectively (P=0.001). Additional predictors of overweight and obesity were: being
the first child in the family, watching TV for more than four hours a day, always eating while
watching TV and being physically active less than five days a week.
Conclusions: Most Palestinian pupils miss breakfast, eat less fruits and vegetables than
recommended and have sedentary behaviours. These findings raise serious concerns and
point to the urgent need for tailored interventions.
| Original language | American English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 1-13 |
| Journal | South Eastern European Journal of Public Health |
| Volume | 5 |
| Issue number | 1 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - 1 Apr 2016 |