Haleama Al Sabbah
Professor, Zayed University, UAE
Title: Smoking (Waterpipe and Cigarette) and obesity among university students in uae and palestine: Cross-sectional study
Biography
Biography: Haleama Al Sabbah
Abstract
To assess the Prevalence rate of water pipe smoking behavior among university students in West Bank and Dubai and determine the factors associated with water pipe smoking among young people. Design: Cross-sectional study. Setting: 5 universities in West Bank- Palestine and 5 universities in Dubai- UAE. Participants: 3800 students randomly selected with a response rate of 87.6%. Measurements: Self-administered questionnaire was used to collect the data. The key measures were waterpipe smoking, weight, height, cigarettes smoking, dieting to reduce weight, perception and knowledge related waterpipe smoking. Weight, height and waist circumference were measured from a subsample of 500 students. Body Mass Index (BMI) was calculated using the WHO cutoffs to identify obese, overweight and underweight students. Findings: In total, 3327 students (54% West Bank and 46% Dubai) included in this analysis. In Dubai, 22% were overweight, and 9% were obese. In West Bank, 14% were overweight, and 4% were obese. 16% in Dubai and 18% in West Bank smoke cigarettes. Quarter of the students in Dubai (26%) and 32% in West Bank smoke waterpipe. 17% in Dubai and 18% in West Bank smoke waterpipe in order to reduce their weight. Significant associations were found between smoking waterpipe and obesity, overweight, and abdominal obesity (p<0.001), Conclusions: Waterpipe smoking is common among university students. Smoking waterpipe is associated with BMI and abdominal obesity. Programs aimed at education, prevention, and intervention for waterpipe use are needed to address the high prevalence rate of waterpipe smoking and this growing public health concern.