SCHOOL INTERVENTION PROGRAM TO PROMOTE HEALTHY LIFESTYLE AMONG MALE ADOLESCENT STUDENTS IN KING FAISAL RESIDENTIAL CITY, JEDDAH, WESTERN REGION, 2014-15

Background: Unhealthy behaviors, physical inactivity, consumption of unhealthy diet and sedentary life style are well known to be associated with overweight and obesity among adults as well as adolescents. These behaviors were subjected to modifications in several interventions with controversial outcomes. In Saudi Arabia, although the prevalence of obesity is remarkably high, few interventions were made to modify its related factors among adolescents. Methods: Through a cluster randomized control trial, 148 male adolescents? students were randomly assigned into either intervention group who received an educational program for two months (n=79), or control groups (n=69) who didn?t attend the program. The principle outcomes were the changes in physical activities, consumption of healthy diet, sedentary life habits and anthropometric measurements. The outcomes of the intervention group were compared with their own baseline readings, as well as with the readings of the control group. Results: Among intervention group, there was increase in the percentage of students who met the recommended daily activity by 7%, those who used to intake vegetables daily by 1.4%, and fruit by 7%, meanwhile there was decrease in the percentages of students who consume fast food by 3 % and French fries by10%. By the end of the study, there was no statistically significant difference between the intervention and control groups regarding regular performance of physical activity, reduction of unhealthy behaviors and the anthropometric measurements, Conclusion: The provided intervention had no significant effects on the anthropometric, physical activity and unhealthy behaviors of the adolescents ?students.