Al-Shahrani Abdullah M, Alqahtani Saif M, Alghamdi Mada A, Albalhsn Hadi, Almalhan Lama A, Alamri Malik M, Alshahrani Abdullah S, Alamri Abdulrahim S, Alqahtani Alwaleed M, Alzhrani Saeed M, Alqahtani Manar M, Miskeen Elhadi
Family Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Bisha, Bisha, SAU.
Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Bisha, Bisha, SAU.
Cureus. 2024 Dec 3;16(12):e75066. doi: 10.7759/cureus.75066. eCollection 2024 Dec.
Obesity, a chronic disease marked by excessive fat accumulation and a body mass index (BMI) of 30 kg/m² or more, has become a major global health issue, affecting many adults worldwide and particularly prevalent in developed nations and Saudi Arabia. The condition can be caused by genetic, metabolic, and lifestyle factors. Understanding its awareness is imperative in designing effective health interventions. A cross-sectional study was done to assess awareness of obesity and weight loss management among adults in the Asir region of Saudi Arabia. A total of 638 participants were included in this study, a self-administered electronic questionnaire was distributed to 638 respondents, and data were analyzed using SPSS version 27. Our study revealed low practical adherence with 83.5% (533 participants) not following any specific diet and only 29.8% (190 participants) engaging in regular physical activity. Sleep and hydration patterns varied, with 51.9% (331 participants) of participants sleeping fewer than seven hours and 61.9% (395 participants) not meeting recommended water intake. While 66.1% (422 participants) acknowledged that medical conditions such as metabolic syndrome can contribute to obesity, a significant proportion lacked knowledge about the impact of medications and stress. Dietary habits showed that 24.5% (156 participants) practiced intermittent fasting, yet only 1.7% (11 participants) had undergone weight loss surgery. Gender, age, body weight, BMI, and self-perception of weight were significantly associated with knowledge levels, with females, younger participants, and those with normal BMI exhibiting higher awareness. There was reasonable awareness of obesity and weight loss management. However, practical adherence to healthy behaviors, such as regular physical activity and dietary management, remains low. Most participants recognize lifestyle-related factors contributing to obesity and favor non-surgical, non-medication-based weight management. Healthcare professionals should organize seminars and educational programs to enhance public understanding of obesity and weight management in Saudi Arabia.
肥胖是一种以脂肪过度堆积和体重指数（BMI）达到30千克/平方米及以上为特征的慢性疾病，已成为一个重大的全球健康问题，影响着世界各地的许多成年人，在发达国家和沙特阿拉伯尤为普遍。这种情况可能由遗传、代谢和生活方式因素引起。了解人们对肥胖的认知对于设计有效的健康干预措施至关重要。在沙特阿拉伯阿西尔地区开展了一项横断面研究，以评估成年人对肥胖和体重管理的认知情况。本研究共纳入638名参与者，向638名受访者发放了一份自行填写的电子问卷，并使用SPSS 27版软件对数据进行分析。我们的研究显示，实际依从性较低，83.5%（533名参与者）未遵循任何特定饮食，只有29.8%（190名参与者）进行规律的体育锻炼。睡眠和水合模式各不相同，51.9%（331名参与者）的参与者睡眠时间少于7小时，61.9%（395名参与者）未达到推荐的饮水量。虽然66.1%（422名参与者）承认代谢综合征等疾病状况会导致肥胖，但很大一部分人缺乏关于药物和压力影响的知识。饮食习惯方面，24.5%（156名参与者）实行间歇性禁食，但只有1.7%（11名参与者）接受过减肥手术。性别、年龄、体重、BMI和自我体重认知与知识水平显著相关，女性、年轻参与者以及BMI正常者的认知度较高。人们对肥胖和体重管理有一定的认知。然而，对健康行为（如规律体育锻炼和饮食管理）的实际依从性仍然较低。大多数参与者认识到与生活方式相关的因素会导致肥胖，并倾向于非手术、非药物的体重管理方式。医疗保健专业人员应组织研讨会和教育项目，以提高沙特阿拉伯公众对肥胖和体重管理的认识。
