Obesity among female university students in the United Arab Emirates

Abstract

The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence of obesity among female students from the United Arab Emirates University. A sample of 566 students was taken. Body weight and height were measured. The students were interviewed to collect data on age, home Emirate, obesity in childhood, obesity among parents, food intake between meals, the consumption of fast foods and physical activity. A student was considered overweight when the body weight was 110-120% of the reference weight of height and was considered obese when the body weight exceeds 120% of the reference value. The results show that 10.8% of the students were overweight and 30.6% were obese. While the prevalence of obesity increased with age, obesity among students was associated with obesity during childhood, the presence of obesity among one or both parents, food intake between meals and in particular fast foods. Limited physical exercise and long afternoon napping were important contributors to the development of obesity.