Obesity management in the Saudi population

Abstract

Obesity is an alarming public health concern and needs to be addressed promptly in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Sedentary lifestyle, changes in dietary intake and choice, culture, gender, climatic conditions and, lately, COVID-19 have contributed to obesity as a near epidemic in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Interventions targeting obesity includes lifestyle management, pharmacotherapy, and surgery. Lifestyle interventions qualify as firstline therapies. Diets include a low-fat diet, lowcalorie diet, low-carbohydrate diet, high-protein diet, and low-glycemic-index diet. Diet and exercise interventions can have a huge impact on weight loss. Pharmacotherapy is considered a treatment option at a later stage. Surgery is only for severely obese individuals. Above all, the government has to intervene and implement regulations and policies that can curb the incidence of obesity. This review aims to address obesity in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, interventions to curb it, and the impact of COVID-19 on obesity.

Awareness of Bariatric Sleeve Gastrectomy Complications Among the General Population of Saudi Arabian Regions

“…It is characterized by a BMI of 30 kg/m 2 or more and can affect people of all ages [ 1 ]. Obesity is classified into three categories: those having a BMI of 30 kg/m 2 to less than 35 kg/m 2 are classified as Class 1, those having a BMI of 35 kg/m 2 to under 40 kg/m 2 are classified as Class 2, and those having a BMI of over 40 kg/m 2 are classified as Class 3 [ 2 ]. Based on the WHO report in Saudi Arabia in 2019, 38% of the total population was overweight and 20% were obese, indicating that obesity is spreading at a worrying pace [ 3 ].…”

“…Liraglutide is a glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) analog, which is an incretin hormone released from the intestines in response to meals. It slows down gastrointestinal transit, enhances endogenous secretion of insulin in response to meals, alters glucose homeostasis, and suppresses appetite [ 2 ]. Surgical management is considered the most effective treatment for individuals with severe obesity, moderate obesity with other comorbidities, or patients who are not responsive to the first two steps [ 7 ].…”