Congratulations to researcher/Amira Abdel Aziz Abdel-Latif Ashry for being awarded a master's degree

The Faculty of Sports Sciences, Assiut University, represented by His Excellency Prof. Dr. Emad Samir, Dean of the Faculty, faculty members, administrators, workers, and all students, extend their sincere congratulations to the researcher, Amira Abdel Aziz Abdel Latif Ashry, for being awarded a Master’s degree in the Department of Curricula and Teaching of Physical Education, wishing her continued progress and prosperity.تهنئة

Discussion of the master's thesis submitted by the researcher / Amira Abdel Aziz Abdel-Latif Ashry

God willing, the master’s thesis submitted by the researcher / Amira Abdel Aziz Abdel-Latif Ashry - registered in the Department of Curricula and Teaching of Physical Education - Faculty of Sports Sciences - Assiut University will be discussed on Saturday 7/12/2025 at ten o’clock in the morning in the hall of Prof. Dr. Mohamed Raafat Mahmoud at the collegeاعلان

Congratulations to researcher/ Aya Ahmed Suleiman Abdel Moez for being awarded a master's degree

The Faculty of Sports Sciences, Assiut University, represented by His Excellency Prof. Dr. Emad Samir, Dean of the Faculty, faculty members, administrators, workers, and all students, extend their sincere congratulations to the researcher Aya Ahmed Suleiman Abdel Moez for being awarded a Master’s degree in the Department of Sports Administration and Recreation, wishing her continued progress and prosperity.تهنئة

Discussion of the master's thesis submitted by the researcher / Aya Ahmed Suleiman Abdel Moez

God willing, the master’s thesis submitted by the researcher / Aya Ahmed Suleiman Abdel Moez - registered in the Department of Sports Administration and Recreation - Faculty of Sports Sciences - Assiut University will be discussed on Saturday 7/12/2025 at twelve noon in the hall of Prof. Dr. Mohamed Raafat Mahmoud at the collegeاعلان

Congratulations to researcher/Hadeer Ahmed Mohamed Abdel-Moaty for being awarded a master's degree

The Faculty of Sports Sciences, Assiut University, represented by His Excellency Prof. Dr. Emad Samir, Dean of the Faculty, faculty members, administrators, workers, and all students, extend their sincere congratulations to the researcher Hadeer Ahmed Mohamed Abdel-Moaty for being awarded a Master’s degree in the Department of Sports Administration and Recreation, wishing him continued progress and prosperity.تهنئة

Discussion of the master's thesis submitted by researcher/ Hadeer Ahmed Mohamed Abdel-Moati

God willing, the master’s thesis submitted by the researcher/ Hadeer Ahmed Mohamed Abdel-Moaty - registered in the Department of Sports Administration and Recreation - Faculty of Sports Sciences - Assiut University will be discussed on Tuesday 7/8/2025 at eleven o’clock in the morning in the hall of Prof. Dr. Mohamed Raafat Mahmoud at the collegeاعلان

Congratulations to researcher/ Mervat Mujahid Haidar Abdel Shafi for being awarded a master's degree

The Faculty of Sports Sciences, Assiut University, represented by His Excellency Prof. Dr. Emad Samir, Dean of the Faculty, faculty members, administrators, workers, and all students, extend their sincere congratulations to researcher Mervat Mujahid Haider Abdel Shafi for being awarded a Master’s degree in the Department of Sports Administration and Recreation, wishing her continued progress and prosperity.تهنئة

Discussion of the master's thesis submitted by researcher / Mervat Mujahid Haider Abdel Shafi

God willing, the master’s thesis submitted by the researcher / Mervat Mujahid Haidar Abdel Shafi - registered in the Department of Sports Administration and Recreation - Faculty of Sports Sciences - Assiut University will be discussed on Monday 7/7/2025 at two o’clock in the afternoon in the hall of Prof. Dr. Mohamed Raafat Mahmoud at the collegeاعلان

Diet, Eating Habits, and Lifestyle Factors Associated with Adequate Sleep Duration in Children and Adolescents Living in 5 Mediterranean Countries: The DELICIOUS Project

Research Abstract

Background/Objectives: Sleep is a fundamental physiological function that plays a crucial role in maintaining health and well-being. The aim of this study was to assess dietary and lifestyle factors associated with adequate sleep duration in children and adolescents living in five Mediterranean countries. Methods: Parents of children and adolescents taking part in an initial survey for the DELICIOUS project were examined to assess their children’s dietary and eating habits (i.e., meal routines), as well as other lifestyle behaviors (i.e., physical activity levels, screen time, etc.) potentially associated with adequate sleep duration (defined as 8–10 h according to the National Sleep Foundation). The youth healthy eating index (Y-HEI) was used to assess the diet quality of children and adolescents. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to calculate the odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs), indicating the level of association between variables. Results: A total of 2011 individuals participated in the survey. The adolescents and children of younger parents reported being more likely to have inadequate sleep duration. Among eating behaviors, having breakfast (OR = 2.23, 95% CI: 1.62, 3.08) and eating at school (OR = 1.33, 95% CI: 1.01, 1.74) were associated with adequate sleep duration. In contrast, children eating alone, screen time, and eating outside of the home were less likely to have adequate sleep duration, although these findings were only significant in the unadjusted model. After adjusting for covariates, a better diet quality (OR = 1.63, 95% CI: 1.24, 2.16), including higher intake of fruits, meat, fish, and whole grains, was associated with adequate sleep duration. Conclusions: Adequate sleep duration seems to be highly influenced by factors related to individual lifestyles, family and school eating behaviors, as well as diet quality.

Research Authors
Justyna Godos, Alice Rosi, Francesca Scazzina, Maria Antonieta Touriz Bonifaz, Francesca Giampieri, Osama Abdelkarim, Achraf Ammar, Mohamed Aly, Evelyn Frias-Toral, Juancho Pons, Laura Vázquez-Araújo, Josep Alemany-Iturriaga, Lorenzo Monasta, Ana Mata, Ad
Research Date
Research Department
Department of Educational Sciences and Sports Psychology
Research Journal
Nutrients
Research Member
Mohammed Aly
Osama Abdelkarim
Research Year
2025

School-based physical activity and health-related fitness in Mediterranean students: findings from the DELICIOUS project

Research Abstract

Background: Physical inactivity among children is a growing public health concern, particularly in Mediterranean countries, where lifestyle changes have contributed to declining physical fitness levels. Structured school-based interventions have shown promise in improving children’s health-related physical fitness (HRF), but cross-cultural differences in intervention effectiveness remain understudied. This study, conducted within the DELICIOUS project, evaluates the impact of a standardized physical activity (PA) intervention on HRF components among children (8–10 years) and early adolescents (11–14 years) from five Mediterranean countries: Egypt, Italy, Lebanon, Portugal, and Spain.

Methods: A total of 937 participants aged 8–14 years took part in a six-month school-based PA program designed to enhance speed, agility, muscular strength, cardiovascular endurance, and coordination. Physical fitness was assessed using the International Physical Performance Test Profile (IPPTP) before and after the intervention. A three-way repeated measures ANOVA (Time × Age × Country) assessed intervention effects on anthropometric and fitness variables, while a two-way ANOVA (Age × Country) examined the percentage changes in these HRF across age groups and countries.

Results: Significant improvements were observed across multiple health-related fitness components, particularly in speed, lower-body power, coordination, muscular endurance, and cardiovascular endurance. Early adolescents (11–14 years) generally showed greater gains than younger children (8–10 years). The magnitude of improvement in fitness outcomes varied by country. Lebanon and Portugal recorded the most substantial gains in sprint, strength, and endurance. Spain and Italy showed relatively smaller improvements, especially among younger participants, whereas Egyptian students demonstrated notable gains in sprint performance and endurance, particularly among early adolescents, along with the most significant BMI reduction observed in the study. BMI remained stable across participants, suggesting that fitness improvements were achieved alongside healthy growth, without adverse changes in body composition.

Conclusion: A structured PA intervention can effectively improve HRF in children across Mediterranean countries, though outcomes vary by age and cultural context. These findings highlight the need for tailored, school-based PA programs that consider baseline fitness levels and regional factors. Implementing such interventions could play a crucial role in addressing physical inactivity and fostering long-term health benefits in children.

Research Authors
Mohamed Aly, Achraf Ammar, Khaled Trabelsi, Liwa Masmoudi, Noha El-Gyar, Amira M Shalaby, Osama Abdelkarim
Research Date
Research Department
Department of Educational Sciences and Sports Psychology
Research Journal
Frontiers in Public Health
Research Member
Mohammed Aly
Osama Abdelkarim
Research Year
2025
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