Researchers looked at studies from countries in the Middle East and North Africa to understand how much kids exercise, how much time they spend on screens, and how these habits affect their health. They found that many children in this region don’t move around enough and spend too much time on phones, tablets, and computers. This extra screen time is connected to unhealthy eating, weight gain, and other health problems. The review shows that boys tend to be more active than girls, and that family support, school programs, and community changes can help kids develop healthier habits.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: How much physical activity and screen time children and teenagers in the Middle East and North Africa have, and how these habits connect to their weight, eating habits, and overall health
  • Who participated: This review examined 18 different research studies from 7 countries in the Middle East and North Africa region, looking at data collected from children and teenagers of various ages
  • Key finding: A large number of children and teenagers in the region are not getting enough exercise and are spending too much time on screens (phones, tablets, computers). Kids who spend more time on screens tend to eat less healthy foods and are more likely to be overweight
  • What it means for you: If you live in or care for children in the Middle East or North Africa, this research suggests encouraging more outdoor play and physical activity while setting limits on screen time. However, this review summarizes other studies rather than testing new solutions, so individual results may vary based on local conditions and family circumstances

The Research Details

This is a narrative review, which means researchers searched through scientific databases to find all the studies already done on this topic in the Middle East and North Africa region. They looked at 18 different studies from 7 countries and read through them carefully to understand what patterns and trends appeared across multiple studies.

The researchers searched major scientific databases like Google Scholar, MEDLINE, and others to find studies about how much kids exercise, how much time they spend on screens, and what they eat. They then organized the information to see what the research shows about children’s health habits in this specific region.

This type of review is useful because it brings together information from many different studies to show the bigger picture of what’s happening with kids’ health and activity levels across a whole region, rather than just looking at one study or one country.

Understanding patterns across multiple studies helps identify real health problems that affect many children in a region. By looking at 18 studies together, researchers can see common trends that might not be obvious from just one study. This approach also helps identify what factors (like family support, school programs, or community resources) seem to help kids stay healthy, which can guide decisions about where to focus health improvement efforts.

This is a narrative review, which means it summarizes and discusses existing research rather than conducting a new experiment. This type of study is good for understanding overall trends and patterns, but it depends on the quality of the studies it reviews. The researchers looked at studies from multiple countries and databases, which strengthens the findings. However, the review notes that many studies are missing, especially long-term studies that follow kids over time and studies that test whether specific programs actually work to improve health habits.

What the Results Show

The research shows that many children and teenagers in the Middle East and North Africa region are not getting enough physical activity. At the same time, they are spending increasing amounts of time on screens—using phones, playing video games, watching videos, and doing schoolwork on computers. This combination of too little exercise and too much screen time is connected to unhealthy eating patterns, weight gain, and obesity.

The studies found that children who spend more time on screens tend to eat more unhealthy foods like sugary snacks and fast food, and they are more likely to be overweight or obese. Screen time also affects how kids feel about their bodies and their overall quality of life and happiness.

Another important finding is that boys in the region tend to be more physically active than girls. This difference may be due to cultural factors, safety concerns, or differences in how families encourage activity in boys versus girls. The research also shows that where a family lives (in a city or rural area), how much money they have, cultural beliefs, and school demands all play a role in how active kids are and how much screen time they have.

Beyond the main findings about activity and screen time, the review identified several other important health connections. Kids who spend more time on screens report lower body satisfaction and feel worse about how they look. Screen time also affects overall quality of life, including sleep, mood, and social relationships. The research shows that social media, online gaming, and academic screen use (like homework on computers) are the main reasons kids spend so much time on screens. Environmental factors like lack of safe places to play, hot weather, and limited access to sports programs also reduce how much kids exercise.

These findings fit with what researchers have found in other parts of the world—that screen time is increasing everywhere and that kids are becoming less active. However, the Middle East and North Africa region is experiencing these changes very quickly because of rapid urbanization and increased access to technology. The review suggests that the region may be facing these health challenges faster than other parts of the world experienced them, which means there’s an urgent need for action. The findings also confirm what many studies have shown: that family support, school programs, and community policies are important for helping kids stay active and healthy.

This review has several important limitations to understand. First, it only looked at 18 studies from 7 countries, so there may be other important research that wasn’t included. Second, the studies reviewed were done at different times and used different methods, which makes it harder to compare results directly. Third, most of the studies looked at a moment in time rather than following kids over months or years, so we can’t be sure about cause and effect. Fourth, the review found very few studies that actually tested whether specific programs or interventions work to improve kids’ activity levels and screen habits. Finally, some countries and populations in the region may not be well represented in the available research.

The Bottom Line

Based on this review, health experts suggest: (1) Schools should create programs that encourage more physical activity and reduce screen time during the school day (moderate confidence); (2) Parents should set reasonable limits on screen time and encourage outdoor play and sports (moderate confidence); (3) Communities should create safe spaces for kids to play and be active (moderate confidence); (4) Policymakers should develop programs that address cultural and environmental barriers to activity, especially for girls (moderate confidence). These recommendations are based on patterns seen across multiple studies, but more research is needed to test specific solutions.

Parents, teachers, and school administrators in the Middle East and North Africa region should pay attention to these findings. Healthcare providers working with children and teenagers in this region should use this information to talk with families about healthy habits. Policymakers and community leaders should consider these findings when planning health programs and policies. However, these findings are most relevant to the Middle East and North Africa region; other parts of the world may have different patterns and challenges. Individual families should consider their own circumstances, cultural values, and local resources when making decisions about their children’s activity and screen time.

Changes in children’s activity levels and screen habits don’t happen overnight. Research suggests that it typically takes 4-12 weeks of consistent effort to see changes in activity levels and eating habits. However, some benefits like improved mood and better sleep may appear within 1-2 weeks of reducing screen time. Long-term health benefits like weight management and reduced disease risk develop over months and years of maintaining healthy habits.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track daily screen time (hours per day) and physical activity (minutes per day) for children. Set a goal to reduce screen time by 30 minutes per week while increasing activity by 15 minutes per week. Record the type of screen use (social media, gaming, schoolwork, videos) to identify which activities take up the most time.
  • Use the app to set daily reminders for activity breaks every 2 hours of screen time. Create a family challenge to replace 30 minutes of daily screen time with outdoor play, sports, or active games. Track and celebrate days when screen time goals are met and activity goals are reached.
  • Monitor weekly trends in screen time and activity levels using app charts. Track changes in eating habits alongside screen time to see connections. Set monthly goals that gradually increase activity and decrease screen time. Share progress with family members through the app to build accountability and support.

This review summarizes existing research about children’s activity, screen time, and health in the Middle East and North Africa region. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have concerns about your child’s health, weight, activity level, or screen habits, please consult with a healthcare provider or pediatrician who can evaluate your child’s individual situation. The findings in this review are based on studies conducted in specific countries and may not apply to all families or communities. Individual results depend on many factors including age, health status, family circumstances, and local resources.