The Role of Lifestyle Behaviors in Early Childhood Obesity: Insights from Pre-School Populations

Authors

  • Maha H. Alhussain Department of Food Science and Nutrition, College of Food Science and Agriculture, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
  • Wafa Sultan Al-mashouf Department of Food Science and Nutrition, College of Food Science and Agriculture, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
  • Nawal A. Albadr Department of Food Science and Nutrition, College of Food Science and Agriculture, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
  • Haila A. Almoghirah Clinical Pharmacy Department, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh, 11451, Saudi Arabia
  • Shaista Arzoo Department of Food Science and Nutrition, College of Food Science and Agriculture, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
  • Farah Fayez Alfayez Department of Medicine and Surgery, College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
  • Hazzaa M. Al-Hazzaa Lifestyle and Health Research Center, Health Sciences Research Center, Princess Norah Bint Abdulrahman University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.6000/1929-4247.2025.14.04.6

Keywords:

Obesity, overweight, pre-school, lifestyle, chrono-nutrition

Abstract

Aim: Childhood obesity is an escalating global health concern. Identifying modifiable risk factors is crucial to inform effective prevention strategies. This study explored lifestyle behaviors, including chrono-nutrition and sedentary behaviors, associated with overweight/obesity among Saudi pre-school children.

Methods: This cross-sectional study of 450 children aged 3-6 years from 20 pre-schools assessed chrono-nutrition, sedentary, and sleep behaviors through questionnaires filled by parents/guardians. Height, weight, and skinfold thickness were measured. BMI was calculated using International Obesity Task Force classifications for children aged 2-18.

Results: Overweight/obesity prevalence in preschoolers was 22.67%. Weight, skinfold, and body fat percentage were significantly higher among the overweight/obese group (p<0.001). A significant association (p=0.009) was observed between sleeping time and BMI. However, insignificant associations were observed between BMI and chrono-nutrition or physical activity. Logistic regression analysis revealed that evening (OR=0.142, 95%CI: 0.024-0.834, p=0.031) and irregular screen time (OR=0.162, 95%CI: 0.036-0.730, p=0.018) as well as more than two hours of napping (OR=0.268, 95%CI: 0.073-0.987, p=0.048) were associated with lower odds of overweight or obesity status.

Conclusions: Selected lifestyle behaviors exhibited significant associations with lower overweight/obesity among preschoolers. Future studies on pre-school children's lifestyle behaviors are warranted to enhance preventive health education and health promotion among young children.

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Published

2025-11-28

How to Cite

Alhussain, M. H. ., Al-mashouf, W. S. ., Albadr, N. A. ., Almoghirah, H. A. ., Arzoo, S. ., Alfayez, F. F. ., & Al-Hazzaa, H. M. . (2025). The Role of Lifestyle Behaviors in Early Childhood Obesity: Insights from Pre-School Populations. International Journal of Child Health and Nutrition, 14(4), 386–397. https://doi.org/10.6000/1929-4247.2025.14.04.6

Issue

Vol. 14 No. 4 (2025)

Section

General Articles

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