Journal of Thyroid Disorders & Therapy
Open Access
ISSN: 2167-7948
ISSN: 2167-7948
Areeba Amir
University of Sharjah, UAE
Scientific Tracks Abstracts: Thyroid Disorders Ther
Unhealthy lifestyles are associated with the prevalence of non-communicable diseases, such as diabetes, cancer, and cardiovascular diseases. 77% of deaths in the UAE are attributed to noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), and there is limited evidence on the lifestyle of adults living in the UAE. The aim of this study is to examine the prevalence and significance of each of the five lifestyle variables- diet, physical activity, sleep, tobacco use and body mass index (BMI)- and sociodemographic variables among UAE adults. Methods: Data was obtained through an online questionnaire distributed via social media platforms and participants recruited were aged 18 years or older and residents of the UAE. SPSS was used in data analysis to calculate HLI (healthy lifestyle indicator) scores from the five variables, carry out bivariate analyses, descriptive analyses and crosstabulation with Chi-square test. Results: Among the 403 participants, 76.2% had a good HLI score, indicating a greater likelihood of nonmodifiable factors being the major cause of increased NCDs among UAE adults. However, physical activity, shisha smoking, and consumption of processed foods and sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) had significant influence on lifestyle, as demonstrated by very significant p values (p<0.01) in Pearson correlation coefficient and Chi-square test. Women were more likely to be smokers than men as shown by an odds ratio of Conclusion: Non-modifiable genetic risk factors are more likely than modifiable lifestyle-related factors to be strongly associated with NCDs. However, genes interact with the lifestyle and environment, and lifestyle-related interventions are still needed in genetically susceptible high-risk groups.
Areeba Amir did her BSc in Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics at the University of Sharjah and volunteered at her university’s Research Institute of Medical and Health Sciences, thus healthcare and research are both her areas of expertise. She is well-versed in the clinical setting of nutrition as she has carried out dietetic internships at various hospitals in both Dubai and Sharjah and intends to pursue further studies. healthcare and research are both her areas of expertise. She is well-versed in the clinical setting of nutrition as she has carried out dietetic internships at various hospitals in both Dubai and Sharjah and intends to pursue further studies.