Anthropometric and lifestyle characteristics of active and inactive Saudi and British adolescents

Objectives: To compare the anthropometric and lifestyle characteristics of active and inactive adolescents in Saudi Arabia and Britain. Methods: A school-based cross-sectional study was conducted at four cities in Saudi Arabia (Riyadh and Al-Khobar; N = 1,648) and Britain (Birmingham and Coventry; N = 1,158). The participants (14–18 year-olds) were randomly selected using a multistage stratified cluster sampling. Measurements included anthropometric (BMI, Waist circumference, Waist to height ratio), screen time, validated physical activity (PA) questionnaire and dietary habits Results: British males were lighter (p = .04, 64.4 vs 68.2kg), and had lower values for WC (p = .003, 77.1 vs 78.7cm) than Saudi males. Males (p =.0001) were significantly more active than females but the difference between inactive Saudi and British females was greater than that between inactive Saudi and British males. Being female was significantly (p <0.001) associated with lower activity levels in both the Saudi and British adolescents. Having lower frequency of fruit intake was significantly (p