Open AccessPrevalence of physical inactivity in Saudi Arabia: a brief review
Author(s) -
Hazzaa M. Al-Hazzaa
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
eastern mediterranean health journal/eastern mediterranean health journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.442
H-Index - 47
eISSN - 1687-1634
pISSN - 1020-3397
DOI - 10.26719/2004.10.4-5.663
Subject(s) - medicine , physical activity , environmental health , coronary heart disease , physical fitness , population , gerontology , burden of disease , demography , physical therapy , sociology , cardiology
Major lifestyle changes in recent years in Saudi Arabia may be leading to physical inactivity and a low level of physical fitness. This paper reviews the current literature about physical inactivity in the Saudi Arabian population and discusses its implications for health. Available data from a small number of studies suggests a high prevalence [43.3%-99.5%] of physical inactivity among Saudi children and adults alike. Furthermore, the proportion of Saudi children and adults who are at risk due to inactivity is much higher than for any other coronary heart disease risk factor. It is recommended that a national policy encouraging activity in daily life be established and more studies are carried out to address physical activity patterns with representative samples of the Saudi Arabian population