This document discusses a study on the lifestyles of Saudi girls who attend Health Promoting Schools (HPS) compared to those who do not. The study assessed differences in dietary habits, health behaviors, physical activity, and personal hygiene between the two groups. Results found that HPS students had healthier habits in most areas assessed. The document recommends strengthening school health programs, especially the HPS program, to further promote positive student behaviors and skills. Coordination between schools and health sectors could help improve the physical and psychological school environment.

1. Lifestyle of Saudi girls
and the Impact
of Health Promoting Schools
Dr.Sulieman Nasser Al-
Shehri
MD, PhD, MPH,DCH

2. Health Promoting
Schools
Health Promoting School (HPS) is the
school where all its members work
together to provide students with
integrated and positive experiences
and structure which promote and
protect their health . This includes the
formal and the informal curriculae in
health ,the provision of a safe and
healthy school environment , the

3. Health Promoting
Schools
The concept of Health Promoting
School (HPS) is international in its
development , with many countries
around the world implementing
programs which support schools and
their communities in better health
actions ,
It complements the WHO school health
initiative , which provides an impetus

4. Why we focus on students
Students represent about 25 of population allover
the world
The students usually spend several hours of their day
in schools , during which many health messages can
be offered to them
The students can transfer their knowledge and skills
to their colleagues as well as their families and
communities

5. Why the School Promoting School Program
The program aims at making «Everyone is working for
better health and promote this concept in all ways and
practices.
Involve all the school and community members in health
promotion efforts.
Provide a model for the preservation of the environment ,
nutrition support, the application of safety systems, and
encourages physical activities

6. Why the School Promoting School Program
Take the initiative to promote mental and emotional health.
Develop life skills of students , giving them a sense of
responsibility, self-confidence, and appreciation of their
efforts and achievements .
Accordingly , the Ministry of Education, adopted this
program in its 10 years plan.

7. Objectives
To explore lifestyle of HPS and non-
HPS students.
To assess the effect of (HPS)
program on the students lifestyle.
To come up with recommendations
for HPS program implementation to
MOE .

8. Methodology
The study sample was :
Third year intermediate and third
year secondary girl students studying
in Health Promoting Schools (HPS)
and non- (HPS) as a control group,
and who spent three years at the
same school
Education departments (ED) :
Riyadh, Jeddah, Medina, Mecca ,
Dammam and Qasuim

9. Number of students in sample size
Response rate was 83%

10. Methodology
(cont..)
Students were asked to answer
questions about their dietary pattern ,
health habits , physical activities and
behavior after providing a parent
consent to participate in the study.
 Statistical analysis was carried out
using Statistical Epi-Info program
version 3.4.3 (2007) , frequency and
proportions were used to analyze the

11. Results

12. State of School Environment
Clean drinking water Clean sufficient W.C.s
rodents and /or insects fire extinguishers
HPS non-HPS

13. State of School environment
Presence

14. Students according to BMI
Percentiles
Under weight Normal weight Over weight Obese

15. Students according to BMI
Percentiles
Health promoting Non- Health
N.B Overweight and schools promoting schools
obesity 21.5% 26.4%

16. Students according to Breakfast intake
Daily Sometimes Not-taking
HPS non-HPS

17. Students according to Breakfast intake

18. Students according to type of food
consumption
Milk Dates Fresh vegetables. Fresh fruits Fresh f. juices

19. Dates
Students
according to
type of food
consumption

20. Students according to type of food
consumption
Sweets Carbonated Energy drinks Fast meals
drinks

21. Students
according to
type of food
consumption
Fast foods

22. Student personal
hygiene
Bathing 3 or more / week washing hair 3 or more / week
Teeth brushing daily Use of Swak daily
HPS non- HPS

23. Student
personal
hygiene

24. Student physical activity
Reading for more than 2h. daily S Screen time more than 2 h. daily
Practicing physical activity daily Practicing walking sport daily
HPS non-HPS

25. Student
physical
activity
Time spent in Watching T.V. or video or computer ( screen time)

26. Student Behavior
Follow Pedestrian crossing signs Follow traffic lights
Insult by teachers Bullying by other students
HPS non- HPS

27. Student Behavior

28. Recommendations

29. The findings of the present study
indicated that the implementation of
(HPS) program had an evident impact
on the lifestyle of students .So, we
suggest many recommendations :
 Raise the efficiency and effectiveness
of school health programs specially the
Health Promoting School Program to
promote skills and behavior of students
.
 The coordination of school health,

30.  Providing the means of health
education in all units, especially in the
sub-units regarding dietary pattern ,
physical activity .
Develop the skills of health workers to
ensure the school to raise the level of
physical and psychic school
environment .

31.  Support and dissemination of (
health supervisor program) whose
idea is to train one teacher in each
school to carry out health surveillance,
and to be responsible for the activation
of the preventive aspect of the school
health.
 Increasing focus on teachers and
students about the importance of

32. Thank you