摘要：Background : Interventions to promote healthy eating in adolescents are needed in the United Arab Emirates. To design effective interventions, adolescent eating behaviours need to be understood. Aims : This study aimed to describe eating behaviours of adolescents in Dubai and the factors associated with fruit and vegetable intake. Methods : This was a sequential explanatory study using a mixed methods approach. Ten of the 34 Arabic high schools in Dubai were randomly selected and students in grades 10–12 were included. Data were collected on self-reported fruit and vegetables intake, eating behaviours, food availability and sociodemographic variables. In the qualitative phase, 14 students were interviewed about their eating behaviour. Results : A total of 620 students were included: 57% were boys and most reported medium/high family affluence. Only 28% of the participants met the recommended daily fruit and vegetable intake, with significantly more males than females meeting it (P Conclusions : There are significant differences in eating habits between Emirati male and female adolescents. Lunch, as the main family meal, faces threats because of modern working hours. The gender-specific social context may require targeted interventions to achieve optimal outcomes in each group.
关键词：Eating behaviour; adolescent; diet; obesity; United Arab Emirates
