OVERWEIGHT AND OBESITY IN SAUDI-ARABIAN ADULT-POPULATION, ROLE OF SOCIODEMOGRAPHIC VARIABLES

The objectives of this Community-based National Epidemiological Househ old Survey, conducted between 1990-1993, were to estimate the prevalen ce of overweight and obesity in Saudi Arabia and to examine its associ ation with the socio-demographic characteristics of the adult populati on. A sample of Saudis 20 years and over was selected using a multista ge stratified cluster sampling technique with probability proportionat e to size. The selected subjects were requested to visit primary healt h care centers in their localities. Physicians in these clinics took m easurements of heights and weights and collected other relevant data. Obesity was measured by the Body Mass Index, using the Quetelet Index. The results showed the sample of 10,651 subjects of which 50.8% were males, had a mean age of 35.8 years (SD = 14.27 years). The prevalence of overweight was 31.2% (95% confidence interval: 30.3%, 32.1%); 33.1 % for males and 29.4% for females. For obesity, the overall prevalence was 22.1%; males 17.8% and females 26.6%. The study design suggested that these estimates could be closer to the true values. The multiple logistic regression analysis showed that age, residential area, region , income, gender, and education are statistically significant predicto rs of obesity. The prevalence of obesity was higher in females than ma les, lower in subjects living in rural areas with traditional lifestyl es than those in more urbanized environments, and increased with incre asing age. The observed prevalence and pattern of overweight and obesi ty with age and gender is similar to those observed in the Arab commun ity and some Western nations. There is a need for increased physical a ctivity and better nutrition education programs to reduce the extent o f obesity and to prevent the serious health consequences, especially, in the middle age group.