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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 Journal
Nutrients
Research Member
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 Journal
Frontiers in Public Health
Research Member
Research Year
2025

Exploring Determinants of Mediterranean Lifestyle Adherence: Findings from the Multinational MEDIET4ALL e-Survey Across Ten Mediterranean and Neighboring Countries

Research Abstract

Background/Objectives: Despite its well-established health benefits, adherence to the Mediterranean lifestyle (MedLife) has declined globally, including in its region of origin, alongside a significant shift toward ultra-processed food consumption. Understanding the factors associated with MedLife adherence is essential for developing targeted interventions and tailored policy recommendations. As part of the MEDIET4ALL PRIMA project, this cross-sectional study aimed to comprehensively examine geo-demographic, socio-economic, psychological, behavioral, and barrier-related factors associated with and potentially contributing to MedLife adherence. Methods: Data were collected from 4010 participants aged 18 years and above across ten Mediterranean and neighboring countries using the multinational MEDIET4ALL e-survey, which included the validated MedLife index, along with various other questionnaires. Results: Results indicate that only 22% of respondents demonstrated high adherence to the Mediterranean lifestyle (MedLife), with significant variability observed across countries, age groups, education levels, and health statuses. Spain had the highest proportion of participants with high adherence (38%). Factors associated with significantly higher adherence rates include older age, living in the Mediterranean region, higher education levels, a greater awareness of MedLife principles, lower perceived barriers, normal BMI, better health status, and stable economic and marital conditions (p-values ranging from 0.04 to <0.001). Additionally, individuals with high MedLife adherence exhibited more socially and physically active lifestyles and experienced less psychological strain (p < 0.001). Regression analyses identified MedLife awareness as the strongest positive predictor of adherence (β = 0.206), followed by social participation (β = 0.194) and physical activity (β = 0.096). Additional positive contributors include life satisfaction, sleep quality, living in the Mediterranean region, age, and education (β ranging from 0.049 to 0.093). Conversely, factors that are negatively associated with adherence include sedentary behavior, living environment, and barriers such as low motivation, taste dislike, price unaffordability, limited availability, and the time-consuming nature of preparing Mediterranean food (MedFood; β ranging from −0.036 to −0.067). Conclusions: These findings indicate that fewer than one in four adults across Mediterranean and neighboring countries demonstrate high adherence to MedLife, supporting prior evidence of suboptimal adherence even within Mediterranean regions. This study identified a range of behavioral, socio-demographic, and environmental factors—both positive and negative predictors—that can help guide the design of targeted, culturally adapted interventions to promote MedLife behavior. Future research should incorporate objective measurements and longitudinal monitoring to better understand underlying mechanisms, establish causality, and develop sustainable strategies for enhancing MedLife adherence in diverse populations.

Research Authors
Achraf Ammar, Mohamed Ali Boujelbane, Atef Salem, Khaled Trabelsi, Bassem Bouaziz, Mohamed Kerkeni, Liwa Masmoudi, Juliane Heydenreich, Christiana Schallhorn, Gabriel Müller, Ayse Merve Uyar, Hadeel Ali Ghazzawi, Adam Tawfiq Amawi, Bekir Erhan Orhan, Gius
Research Date
Research Journal
Nutrients
Research Member
Research Year
2025
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