20Jan 2017

PREVALENCE AND AWARENESS OF OBESITY AMONG SAUDI FEMALE IN RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA.

  • College of Medicine, King Saud University Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
  • Department of medicine , National Guard Hospital , Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
  • Department of ophthalmology, King Saud medical city, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
  • Department of medicine, prince sultan military medical city, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
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Background: Despite knowing the seriousness of obesity and its impact on health, its prevalence still growing in Saudi Arabia, which puts a considerable financial burden on governments and individuals resources Objective: to determine the prevalence of obesity among Saudi female in Riyadh city, Find out level of awareness among women regarding obesity and its problems. Methods: A cross-sectional study among Saudi female in Riyadh. Self-administered pretested questionnaire was distributed in six major shopping malls in January, 2011. The administered questionnaire included the demographic data, anthropometric measurements, questions to assess the knowledge of participants about obesity. Results: Total of 174 female participants included in study, mean age was 22 years. 59 % of participants have collage level education, 50% high school education .For marital status , 63% of participant were married . Regarding the participants weight, 33.3% were overweight (BMI 25-30) and 28% were obese (above 30). Most of participants reported High caloric intake (96%) and Lack of physical activity (92%) as the main risk factor for obesity. For health consequences and complication of obesity, Most of participants reported hypertension, stroke, heart disease, and DM as the main health consequence for obesity with percentage of 79%, 70%, 73%, 70% respectively. While 30%, 26 % and 10% reported cancer, sleep apnea and Gynecological problems as health problem related to obesity (respectively). Conclusion: Obesity is a real public health problem among Saudi female that need control strategies through life style modification and medical intervention. Knowledge of the health consequences of obesity among Saudi female were high about cardiovascular risk but poor about cancer, Osteoarthritis, sleep apnea and Gynecological risk.

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[Sarah Almohsen, Norah Alfahad, Malak Alenazi, Majeedah Alotaibi, Hala Alrqib and Shaikha Bohamod. (2017); PREVALENCE AND AWARENESS OF OBESITY AMONG SAUDI FEMALE IN RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA. Int. J. of Adv. Res. 5 (Jan). 1221-1225] (ISSN 2320-5407). www.journalijar.com

Dr. Sarah Almohsen
College of Medicine, King Saud University Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

DOI:

Article DOI: 10.21474/IJAR01/2874      
DOI URL: https://dx.doi.org/10.21474/IJAR01/2874

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