Journal of Nutritional Disorders & Therapy

The association between sleeping behaviour, Obesity, psychological depression, and Eating Habits among adolescents in the emirate of Abu Dhabia United Arab Emirates: An original study

4^th World Summit on OBESITY AND WEIGHT MANAGEMENT

January 09-10, 2024 | Webinar

Rania Al Dweik

University of Health and Science, Dubai

Scientific Tracks Abstracts: J Nutr Disorders Ther

Abstract:

Statement of the problem: The study aimed to investigate the association between sleeping behavior (specifically sleep duration), body mass index (BMI), eating habits, and psychological mood depression among adolescents in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi- UAE. Methodology & theoretical orientation: A subsample of three hundred and ninety-five participants (209 females and 186 males) from middle and high schools (aged 12–18 years) in the emirate of Abu Dhabi completed the surveys in the presence of their parents and two research assistants. Measures of daytime sleepiness and other sleep parameters (sleep duration on weekdays and weekends), eating habits, and mood depression questionnaires were reported. Findings / Results: Differences in BMI between males and females were statistically significant (26.12 ± 4.5 vs. 24.4 ± 4.3; p < 0.01). There was a negative linear association (p < 0.01) between the students’ BMI and the weekday/ weekend sleep duration. The average weekday and weekend sleep duration ranged from 5.7 hours (weekdays) to 9.3 hours (weekends). The study showed that an increase in BMI was correlated to mood depression (r = 0.396, p<0.05) Conclusion: The study showed a clear association between short sleep duration and obesity among adolescents in the UAE. This relationship between sleep duration and obesity is less studied and less understandable. Future research about exploring how sleeping behaviors can affect obesity during adolescence can support understanding this association and create an effective intervention.

Biography :

Rania Al Dweik is an assistant professor in the Department of Public Health at the University of Health and Science, Abu Dhabi University. She has more than 25 years of experience in industry and academia. She received her Ph.D. in Population Health and Epidemiology from the University of Ottawa (2016) - Canada, a master’s degree in Toxicology and Forensic Medicine (1999), and a bachelor’s degree in pharmacy (1996). She is a certified drug information specialist by the University IOWA (2006). Dr. Rania's primary research interest is improving population health, focusing on drug safety.