Obesity in Saudi Arabia in 2020: Prevalence, Distribution, and Its Current Association with Various Health Conditions

The global prevalence of obesity is increasing. Obesity is associated with many chronic diseases and health conditions. This study aims to estimate the current prevalence of obesity in Saudi Arabia and described the current national-level status of the association between obesity and various health...

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Main Authors: Nora A. Althumiri, Mada H. Basyouni, Norah AlMousa, Mohammed F. AlJuwaysim, Rasha A. Almubark, Nasser F. BinDhim, Zaied Alkhamaali, Saleh A. Alqahtani
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2021-03-01
Series:Healthcare
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9032/9/3/311
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author Nora A. Althumiri
Mada H. Basyouni
Norah AlMousa
Mohammed F. AlJuwaysim
Rasha A. Almubark
Nasser F. BinDhim
Zaied Alkhamaali
Saleh A. Alqahtani
author_facet Nora A. Althumiri
Mada H. Basyouni
Norah AlMousa
Mohammed F. AlJuwaysim
Rasha A. Almubark
Nasser F. BinDhim
Zaied Alkhamaali
Saleh A. Alqahtani
author_sort Nora A. Althumiri
collection DOAJ
description The global prevalence of obesity is increasing. Obesity is associated with many chronic diseases and health conditions. This study aims to estimate the current prevalence of obesity in Saudi Arabia and described the current national-level status of the association between obesity and various health conditions. This study is a nationwide cross-sectional survey conducted over phone-interviews in June 2020. In this study, a proportional quota-sampling technique was used to obtain equal distributions of participants, stratified by age and gender, across the 13 regions of Saudi Arabia. Weight and height were self-reported, and the obesity was determined as BMI ≥ 30. Logistic regression adjusted for age and gender was used for exploring current associations between obesity and health conditions. Of the 6239 participants contacted, 4709 participants responded and completed the interview with a response rate of 75.48%. Of them, 50.1% were female, the mean age was 36.4 ± 13.5 (Range: 18–90), and the median age was 36. The national weighted prevalence of obesity (BMI ≥ 30) was 24.7%, and the prevalence in the sample (unweighted) was 21.7%. Obesity was significantly associated with type 2 diabetes [Odd ratio, (OR) = 1.52], hypercholesterolemia (OR = 1.69), hypertension (OR = 1.61), lung diseases (OR = 1.69), rheumatoid arthritis (OR = 1.57), sleep apnea (OR = 1.82), colon diseases (OR = 1.31), and thyroid disorders (OR = 1.8). This study provides an update on the recent prevalence of obesity in Saudi Arabia. It also shows the variation in prevalence rates between different regions, which might be explored further. Although obesity shows a decreasing trend, almost one-quarter of this study sample were obese. Obesity is currently associated with many health conditions that can affect the individuals’ quality of life, impose stress on the healthcare system and impose an economic burden on the country. This evidence highlights the need for action to focus more on obesity in Saudi Arabia.
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spelling doaj.art-ea7b6870ea7942ae8a70f1ba17d5794b2023-11-21T10:05:25ZengMDPI AGHealthcare2227-90322021-03-019331110.3390/healthcare9030311Obesity in Saudi Arabia in 2020: Prevalence, Distribution, and Its Current Association with Various Health ConditionsNora A. Althumiri0Mada H. Basyouni1Norah AlMousa2Mohammed F. AlJuwaysim3Rasha A. Almubark4Nasser F. BinDhim5Zaied Alkhamaali6Saleh A. Alqahtani7Sharik Association for Health Research, Riyadh 13326, Saudi ArabiaSharik Association for Health Research, Riyadh 13326, Saudi ArabiaPublic Health Department, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam 31441, Saudi ArabiaPharmacy College, King Faisal University, AlAhsa 31982, Saudi ArabiaSharik Association for Health Research, Riyadh 13326, Saudi ArabiaSharik Association for Health Research, Riyadh 13326, Saudi ArabiaSaudi Food and Drug Authority, Riyadh 13513, Saudi ArabiaLiver Transplant Unit, King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Centre, Riyadh 11211, Saudi ArabiaThe global prevalence of obesity is increasing. Obesity is associated with many chronic diseases and health conditions. This study aims to estimate the current prevalence of obesity in Saudi Arabia and described the current national-level status of the association between obesity and various health conditions. This study is a nationwide cross-sectional survey conducted over phone-interviews in June 2020. In this study, a proportional quota-sampling technique was used to obtain equal distributions of participants, stratified by age and gender, across the 13 regions of Saudi Arabia. Weight and height were self-reported, and the obesity was determined as BMI ≥ 30. Logistic regression adjusted for age and gender was used for exploring current associations between obesity and health conditions. Of the 6239 participants contacted, 4709 participants responded and completed the interview with a response rate of 75.48%. Of them, 50.1% were female, the mean age was 36.4 ± 13.5 (Range: 18–90), and the median age was 36. The national weighted prevalence of obesity (BMI ≥ 30) was 24.7%, and the prevalence in the sample (unweighted) was 21.7%. Obesity was significantly associated with type 2 diabetes [Odd ratio, (OR) = 1.52], hypercholesterolemia (OR = 1.69), hypertension (OR = 1.61), lung diseases (OR = 1.69), rheumatoid arthritis (OR = 1.57), sleep apnea (OR = 1.82), colon diseases (OR = 1.31), and thyroid disorders (OR = 1.8). This study provides an update on the recent prevalence of obesity in Saudi Arabia. It also shows the variation in prevalence rates between different regions, which might be explored further. Although obesity shows a decreasing trend, almost one-quarter of this study sample were obese. Obesity is currently associated with many health conditions that can affect the individuals’ quality of life, impose stress on the healthcare system and impose an economic burden on the country. This evidence highlights the need for action to focus more on obesity in Saudi Arabia.https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9032/9/3/311Saudi Arabiaobesityprevalencenoncommunicable diseasesbody mass index
spellingShingle Nora A. Althumiri
Mada H. Basyouni
Norah AlMousa
Mohammed F. AlJuwaysim
Rasha A. Almubark
Nasser F. BinDhim
Zaied Alkhamaali
Saleh A. Alqahtani
Obesity in Saudi Arabia in 2020: Prevalence, Distribution, and Its Current Association with Various Health Conditions
Healthcare
Saudi Arabia
obesity
prevalence
noncommunicable diseases
body mass index
title Obesity in Saudi Arabia in 2020: Prevalence, Distribution, and Its Current Association with Various Health Conditions
title_full Obesity in Saudi Arabia in 2020: Prevalence, Distribution, and Its Current Association with Various Health Conditions
title_fullStr Obesity in Saudi Arabia in 2020: Prevalence, Distribution, and Its Current Association with Various Health Conditions
title_full_unstemmed Obesity in Saudi Arabia in 2020: Prevalence, Distribution, and Its Current Association with Various Health Conditions
title_short Obesity in Saudi Arabia in 2020: Prevalence, Distribution, and Its Current Association with Various Health Conditions
title_sort obesity in saudi arabia in 2020 prevalence distribution and its current association with various health conditions
topic Saudi Arabia
obesity
prevalence
noncommunicable diseases
body mass index
url https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9032/9/3/311
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