Hashem, R; (2015) Physical activity and sedentary behaviour in a school sample of Kuwaiti adolescents: sociodemographic correlates and associations with adiposity and blood pressure: The Study of Health and Activity among Adolescents in Kuwait (SHAAK). Doctoral thesis , UCL (University College London).

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Abstract

Background. Epidemiological studies of both physical activity and sedentary behaviour in Kuwait and Middle East are scarce and rely almost entirely on self-reported measures. Levels of physical activity and sedentary behaviour patterns have not been described using objective measures. Research on sociodemographic correlates of physical activity and sedentary behaviour are limited and the links between physical activity, sedentary behaviour with adiposity and blood pressure are unclear and inconsistent. Aims. The main aim of this PhD was to describe the levels of physical activity, sedentary behaviour and their socio-demographic correlates among adolescents in Kuwait using self-reported and accelerometer based measures and to examine the associations of physical activity and sedentary behaviour with two sets of key cardiometabolic outcomes (adiposity and blood pressure). Methods. Participants (279 male and 310 female) in school grades 6-12 were recruited. Physical activity and sedentary behaviour were assessed using a self-administered questionnaire and a GT1M Actigraph accelerometer worn for 7 consecutive days. Results. Very few adolescents met the physical activity recommendations, 14% using self-report and 2% using objective physical activity measure. Results revealed that 93% of the adolescents in this study did not limit screen time to less than two hours per day. Accelerometer based physical activity was lower among girls and declined with age, while sedentary behaviour was higher among girls and increased with age. The study revealed that accelerometer based physical activity and sedentary behaviour was not ass ociated with adiposity or blood pressure. Conclusion. These data will provide baseline information to enable overnmental authorities to steer physical activity promotion programmes to key target populations. The low physical activity levels documented in this study call for action to promote physical activity and reduce sedentary behaviour among Kuwaiti adolescents.

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