ROLE OF KNOWN RISK FACTORS IN DEVELOPMENT OF OBESITY AMONG SAUDI POPULATION, RIYADH, 2018.
Khaled Mohammed Aldekhail*, Abdullah Mansour Alswailem, Mujahid Fahad Aldakhil, Abdullah M. Alnefaie, Abdulhadi Abdulhakim Khanjar and Sulaiman Alahamad
ABSTRACT
Background: Obesity contributes significantly to morbidity and mortality rates worldwide, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) experienced rapid socio-cultural changes caused by the accelerating economy in the middle east, that was associated with major changes in food choices and eating habits which, progressively became more and more prominent in KSA, Such "a lifestyle" has been claimed for the rising rates of obesity which were recently observed among Saudi adult population. Objective: The study aimed to assess the different obesity-associated factors among Saudis adult population. Methodology: Observational cross-sectional study, 160 male (age >18) in Riyadh city, the height and weight were obtained firstly then calculated to yield BMI, self-administrated questionnaire was focused on "eating habits, physical activity, sedentary lifestyle, and genetic factor'', the Saudi adult male people were included however the Saudi females were excluded as well as the non-Saudi people, data analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software, version 21.0, P-value of less than 0.05 considered significant, consent obtained before data collection. Result: BMI >30.0% for respondents. The major associated risk factor was the genetic factor which represented about 100 % in weight group (162-182) kg, followed by some risk factors such as accessibility to fast food which revealed 55% in weight group (78-98) kg and eating habits particularly eating alone that represented about 100% in weight group (162-182) kg. There was a significant statistical relationship between the genetic factor and high BMI (P< 0.05). The accessibility to fast food also had a significant relationship with weight (P< 0.05). Conclusion: Genetic factor, accessibility to fast food and eating habits would participate mainly in elevating BMI. The public health organizations should provide health education programs to increase awareness about obesity and its associated risk factors.
Keywords: Obesity - Saudi Arabia - Adults - Fast food - Eating habits - Sedentary lifestyle - Genetic factor.
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