Previously submitted to: JMIR Public Health and Surveillance (no longer under consideration since Feb 04, 2018)
Date Submitted: Jan 18, 2018
Open Peer Review Period: Feb 4, 2018 - Feb 4, 2018
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Physical Inactivity in Saudi Arabia Revisited: A systematic review of inactivity prevalence and perceived barriers to active living
Background:
Saudi Arabia has witnessed enormous economic growth accompanied by negative changes in lifestyle during the past decades, including increased physical inactivity, sedentary behaviors and high consumption of caloric dense diet, along with associated increase in non-communicable diseases (NCD’s) in the country.
Objective:
The purpose of this systematic review was to provide a comprehensive and an updated overview of the status of physical activity/inactivity among the Saudi population, and to examine and discuss major barriers and correlates of physical activity (PA).
Methods:
A systematic search was conducted using MEDLINE and Google Scholar databases with key words like PA, exercise, inactivity and PA barriers, in combination with the words, “Saudi Arabia”. Full articles were then obtained for all the inclusive studies, and were thoroughly read and analysed. The electronic search yielded an initial 434 articles. However, the majority of these articles were eliminated because they did not meet the inclusion criteria. The remaining relevant papers were 65 articles that became the bases for this review.
Results:
The findings indicate that the majority of Saudi children, youth and adults were not active enough to meet the minimal weekly requirements of moderate to vigorous PA. Saudi females were disproportionately less active than males, beginning from school ages. The proportions of Saudis who are at risk of inactivity are exceedingly higher than those at risk for other coronary heart diseases. Active Saudi boys tend to have favorable levels of blood lipids and body composition profile compared to inactive boys. Increased urbanization, crowded traffic, extreme weather, cultural barriers, lack of social support, the absence of female school PA program and lack of time and resources, all make PA a difficult choice for the Saudis. There has been very slow development in terms of physical activity strategy and public policies over the past decade, despite numerous PA initiatives which has been organized in the country.
Conclusions:
Based on available evidences, more intensified efforts toward promoting physical activity and reducing sedentary behaviors among Saudi population are needed in order to reduce the risks of NCD’s.
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