Patterns of physical activity among Saudi children, adolescents, and adults with special reference to health

Abstract

During the past two decades, Saudi Arabia has witnessed a tremendous development and urbanization at astounding rate. The standard of living rises and mechanization has been apparent in all aspects of people’s life. And as industrialization and modernization progressed, substantial changes in physical activity patterns and eating habits are likely to have occurred. Indeed, physical inactivity and sedentary living with associated low level of physical fitness are increasingly becoming prevalent in the Saudi society. From the available published studies, it appears that most of Saudi children, adolescents, and more so adults do not meet the minimal weekly requirement of moderate to vigorous physical activity necessary for effectively functioning cardiorespiratory system. Evidences from daily heart rate telemetry indicate that the average Saudi boys spends less than 10 minutes a day in activities that promote cardiorespiratory fitness, and many children may never engage in any activity of moderate to high intensity level at all. Obese boys tend to be physically less active than lean boys. In addition, inactive children exhibit higher levels for most of coronary artery disease risk factors compared with active children. Moreover, the proportion of Saudi adults ages 18 years and older who are classified as regularly active varied from approximately 22% in young males (college students) to about 19% in adult males. These figures are considerably lower than what have been reported from many Western countries. Data on the patterns of physical activity of Saudi women are yet to be published. Furthermore, the most influencing factors on the levels of physical activity in Saudi children and adolescents appear to be obesity, cardiorespiratory fitness, TV viewing, and physical education program. As for Saudi adults, the most important reason for being physically active was to maintain health, while time constraint seems to be the major factor for not being active. Based on the available evidences, promotion of physical activity appears to be warranted. Finally, studies with nationally representative samples are urgently needed.