Factors Influencing Saudi Youth Physical Activity Participation: A Qualitative Study Based on the Social Ecological Model

Abstract

Background: The growing improvement in urbanisation, modes of transportation and the expansion of sedentary behaviour, both at work and home, have resulted in declining rates of physical activity (PA) worldwide. Nearly one-third of the global population aged 15 and over are insufficiently active. The negative effect of physical inactivity has been evidenced and ranked fourth as the lethal cause of death globally. Therefore, the aim of this research was to explore the factors influencing PA participation among youths from different geographical locations in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Methods: Sixteen focus groups (males = 8 and females = 8) were conducted with a total of 120 secondary school students (male = 63 and female = 57) aged between 15 and 19 years. The focus groups were analysed to identify key themes through the process of thematic analysis. Results: Results from the focus groups indicated that a lack of time, safety, parental support, policies, access to sport and PA facilities, and transportation, as well as climate were reported as barriers to PA participation. Discussion and conclusion: The current research contributes to the scarce literature focused on the multidimensional effects on Saudi youth PA behaviour from different geographical locations. This qualitative approach has provided the participants a voice, and the overall study offers valuable evidence as well as invaluable information to policymakers, public health departments, and local authorities for PA intervention based on the environment and the community.

A leadership-based framework for improving Saudi Arabian female participation in sports

“…However, several barriers including lack of time, safety, parental support, policies, access to sport and PA facilities, and transportation, as well as climate were observed for participation in physical activities among females in Saudi Arabia (64). Furthermore, the weekly physical activity levels of Saudi citizens aged above 15 years was identified to be 13% in 2015, 19% in 2019, which is very low compared to the target of 40% set by the country, indicating poor physical activity levels among citizens (65).…”

Promoting Health for Adolescents: An Editorial

“…Further granularity was achieved by a complementary publication by the same group, investigating the impact of environmental and socio-economic factors on low physical fitness, identifying opportunities for future investigations on regionalized coping strategies [4]. Using qualitative methodologies, and applying a social ecological model, the factors influencing the youth physical activity in Saudi Arabia were investigated [5], providing a snapshot from a distinctly different part of the world. Two studies from South Korea compared the physical fitness level of 142 middle school students through a physical assessment and a circuit exercise program [6], culminating in the use of responses by 5268 middle-and high-school students, aiding in the identification of criteria for an adolescent circuit exercise program to be conducted as part of the physical education class [7].…”

Association between Young People’s Neighbourhoods’ Characteristics and Health Risk Factors in Saudi Arabia

“…Despite the well-known benefits associated with PA engagement, research shows that a large proportion of the population around the world is failing to partake of the recommended PA guideline of 150 min of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) for adults each week, or the minimum of 60 min of MVPA per day for children and young people [ 13 ]. Lack of time, workload, the expansion of urbanisation, different modes of transportation, availability of entertainment gadgets, culture, autonomy, and lack of knowledge are some of the reported barriers to PA participation and incentives to an unhealthy lifestyle across the board [ 8 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 ].…”

“…As previous research has reported, the prevalence of physical inactivity among the population of the Kingdom Saudi Arabia (KSA) is high, as compared to Western countries including the UK and the USA [ 18 ]. Moreover, recent research has reported that over 90% of the KSA population leads a sedentary lifestyle; this is particularly prevalent among females [ 16 , 17 ]. Some of the key factors contributing to the KSA’s population’s sedentary lifestyle include neighbourhood characteristics, including the rapid development of the country and the enhancement and availability of cars/transport and technological gadgets [ 17 ].…”

“…Moreover, recent research has reported that over 90% of the KSA population leads a sedentary lifestyle; this is particularly prevalent among females [ 16 , 17 ]. Some of the key factors contributing to the KSA’s population’s sedentary lifestyle include neighbourhood characteristics, including the rapid development of the country and the enhancement and availability of cars/transport and technological gadgets [ 17 ]. A sedentary lifestyle contributes to morbidity and mortality; thus, the exposure of young people to an environment that supports PA participation as part of a healthy and active lifestyle is paramount.…”