2.1. Data Source. This study utilizes data from the National Study of Population Health in the UAE (NSPHUAE) (2007–
2009) research programthat was undertaken in collaboration
with theUAE Ministry of Education.Across-sectional survey
was developed and administered on 6,363 adolescents, aged
13 to 20 years, who attend public and private schools in
the seven Emirates of the federation, including 9 educational
zones. The researchers held training workshops for
social workers, employed by the UAEMinistry of Education.
The social workers administered the cross-sectional survey
on students from three randomly selected classes from each
participating school (one class from each of grades 10, 11, and
12). The first component of the survey was administered on
the adolescent participants during a spare period in a classroom
setting. Social workers collected the completed survey
at the end of the defined one-hour period. The first component
collected data on smoking behaviours, physical activity,
self-reportedmedical diagnoses, symptoms in relation to respiratory
health, and demographic and socioeconomic data.
The second component of the survey was sent home with the
student overnight, in order for the student to seek parental
assistance in completing it. When the student participants
returned it the following day, a participant identification code
allowed it to be matched to the first component. The second
component of the survey collected data related to the number
of previous residences and locations, aswell as residential and
neighborhood characteristics (see Barakat-Haddad 2013 [32]
for more detailed information).