Physical activity and life style among Male Adolescents in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

The physical activity among adolescents varies greatly around the world according to the habits, cultures and environmental conditions. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the different physical activities among adolescent students in areas Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted during fall 2010 including 10 schools from four geographical areas. The participants were 530 male students from secondary-school Their ages ranged between 16-17 years. Measurements included anthropometric measures (weight, height, and waist circumference), physical activity (walking, jogging/running, biking, swimming, self-defense, etc.) using a validated questionnaire. Results: Time in minutes spent per week in different types of physical activity by adolescents revealed non-significant difference in walking weekly, stairs use per day, jogging/running, biking and swimming, where as it was significant in minutes walking per time (p=0.013) and minutes biking(p=0.006). The P-value for the one-way ANOVA tests (according to school area) for the sum of all moderate-intensity physical activity p=0.002; for the sum of all vigorous-intensity physical activity p=0.026, and for the total physical activity p=0.001. The P-value for the independent sample t-tests (according to clusters) for the sum of all moderate-intensity physical activity, p=0.000; for the sum of all vigorous-intensity physical activity, p=0.000, and for the total physical activity, p=0.000. Conclusions: It is concluded that the physical activity among student adolescents differ significantly from geographical area to another in Jeddah and the youth are suffering from inadequate physical activity. [Dina M. Qahwaji. Physical activity and life style among Male Adolescents in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Life Sci J 2012; 9(4):1163-1172]. (ISSN: 1097-8135). http://www.lifesciencesite.com. 173