Identifying factors associated with overweight and obesity among intermediate school students aged 12-15 years in school settings: Mixed-methodology protocol

Abstract

Introduction: Childhood obesity is a public health concern globally. In Arab countries, the prevalence of overweight and obesity has increased significantly over the last three decades. The level of childhood overweight and obesity in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) is high and continues to increase. This study will explore factors associated with overweight and obesity among adolescents and identify barriers and enablers to the implementation of comprehensive school-based obesity prevention interventions. Methods and analysis: Socioecological model will inform this mixed-methods study. The study will include three phases: (1) a scoping review of the literature; (2) the development of a student survey instrument and (3) a mixed-method study comprising a cross-sectional survey targeting students aged 12-15 years with the collection of the students' height and weight measurements; one-on-one interviews with physical education teachers and school principals; and the administration of school climate audits using the Health Promoting School framework. Reliability and validity of the survey instrument will be examined during survey development. Descriptive, inferential and thematic analysis will be employed using appropriate statistical software. Ethics and dissemination: Ethical approval has been granted from the Curtin University of Human Research Ethics Committee (HR2020-0337) and from the KSA Ministry of Education (4181827686). School principals will provide permission to conduct the study in individual schools. Individual consent/assent will be obtained from students and their parents, and teachers. Study findings will be disseminated via peer-review publications, reports and conferences.