DIETARY HABITS AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AMONG YOUTH IN DUHOK, IRAQ

Abstract

Background: Unhealthy dietary habit and physical inactivity are associated with higher risks for chronic morbidity and premature mortality. The objective of this study is to determine the prevalence and types of dietary habits and physical activity among youths in Duhok Governorate, Kurdistan Region of Iraq. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from September 2020 to January 2021 in Duhok Governorate. Systematic random sampling was used to select 729 youths (15-24 years-old), who visited Premarital Screening and Counselling Health Clinic in Duhok city. Data collection was done using questionnaires developed based on the WHO STEPwise approach to Non-Communicable Diseases surveillance. Results: A total of 729 youth (366 males and 363 females) were interviewed, Fruit, vegetables, dairy products, and sugar-sweetened soft drinks consumption four and more times per week was (68.1%, 79.2%, 65% and 70.8) respectively, while fish consumption was (4.4%) ≥2 /week. More than half (55.8%) didn't meet the WHO physical activity recommendations. Conclusions: Unhealthy dietary habits and low physical activity is highly prevalent among youths in Duhok. Duhok Med J 2021; 15 (2): 29-38. outh health remains a challenge with estimated over 1.5 million deaths globally in 2019. Limited physical activity and increase in body weight at early age, are associated with lifetime health consequences, heavy economic tolls, and higher risks of non-communicable diseases 1-5. Dietary habits' changes among adolescents toward Western style energy-dense fast-food snacks, less fruit/vegetables, and sugar-sweetened beverages, are associated with higher risk of obesity and overweight compared to traditional food patterns 6. Also, 69% of adolescents, while watching television or screens, always eat snacks, usually high-energy snacks 4. WHO recommends a healthy diet to be balanced and contain 400 grams of fruits and vegetables (excluding potatoes), energy from fat to be < 30 % and from free sugar < 5 %, and < 5 grams of salt per day 2 , 7. The estimates for Iraq and Eastern Mediterranean countries are: 312 grams of fruits and vegetables for males (15-29 years-old) and 348 grams for females per day, compared to 423 grams for males and females in European countries with very low child and adult mortality 8 , 9. Physical activity in the forms of bodily aerobic and musculoskeletal stretching that involve energy expenditure, whether