THE ASSOCIATION BETWEEN STRENUOUS PHYSICAL-ACTIVITY AND OBESITY IN A HIGH AND LOW-ALTITUDE POPULATIONS IN SOUTHERN SAUDI-ARABIA

OBJECTIVES: To assess the relationship between obesity and strenuous p hysical activity in Saudi nationals living at high and low altitude, D ESIGN: Crosssectional randomized study. SUBJECTS: A total of 437 healt hy adult Saudi nationals born and living permanently at high altitude (3150 m) and 468 healthy adult Saudi nationals born and living permane ntly at relatively low altitude 500 m), MEASUREMENTS: Body Mass Index (Weight (kg)/height (m(2))) strenuous activity scores using Lipid Rese arch Clinic Questionnaire. Resting radial pulse rate (beats/min), RESU LTS: Strenuous physical activity was significantly and inversely assoc iated with obesity in men at both high (chi(2) = 7.13, P < 0.05) and l ow (chi(2) = 6.14, P < 0.05) altitude but there was no clear trend for women at either altitude, The lack of association between strenuous p hysical activity and obesity in women was attributed to the low and ho mogeneous levels of strenuous physical activity. CONCLUSION: Strenuous physical activity should be encouraged as strategy directed towards w eight reduction in obese as well as prevention of obesity in Saudi hig h and lowlanders.