Perceptions, attitudes, and barriers toward obesity management in Saudi Arabia

Alfadda, Assim A.; Qarni, Ali Al; Al-Amri, Khalid M.; Ahamed, Shaik Shaffi; Abo’ouf, Shaza Mohammed; Shams, Mahmoud; Abdelfattah, Waleed; Shaikh, Abdulrahman Al

doi:10.4103/sjg.sjg_500_20

Cited by 10 publications

(19 citation statements)

References 20 publications

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“…One-third of participants reported one or two serious attempts to lose weight, and about 60% had tried three or more attempts similar to findings by local and international studies [ 11 , 16 , 18 ]. In a local study done on overweight and obese women attending a diet clinic in Riyadh, the current visit to the diet clinic was the first trial to lose weight for 19.8% of participants, and 33.4% reported more than four attempts [ 27 ].…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 73%

“…Saudi data from the ACTION International Observation (ACTION-IO) study by Alfadda et al included 1,000 Saudis with obesity: 87% agreed that obesity has an enormous impact on health, and 68% considered it to be a chronic disease [ 16 ]. A similar rate was reported among American people with obesity [ 17 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The major motive for our participants to lose weight was to control their chronic disease followed by relieving active symptoms. The main motives in other studies were different and included concerns about overall health, a desire to improve their look, to be more confident, to improve self‑esteem, and to be more fit [ 16 , 25 ]. The difference here may be related to the type of study, which was community-based for the previous studies while this study analyzed visitors to family medicine clinics.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In another local study, and in contrast to our findings, a lack of family support, unhealthy eating during social gatherings, and declining motivations were major barriers to weight loss [ 25 ]. Interestingly, a local study found that genetic factors were barriers to weight loss for 39% of participants [ 16 ]. Obesity is a multifactorial condition, and genetics certainly play a role; however, this has nothing to do with the ability and possibility to lose weight [ 26 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Healthcare workers (HCWs) play a key role in the initiation of obesity management and support people with obesity to lose weight. In a local study, 85% felt positive and 54% felt hopeful after a weight management discussion with HCWs [ 16 ]. This implies that more education and training for HCWs are needed for them to be confident and professional in discussing weight management with their patients.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Attitudes Toward Obesity, Willingness to Lose Weight, and Treatment Preferences Among Overweight and Obese Saudi Adults

AlAteeq¹,

AlHomayed²,

AlBuraikan³

et al. 2022

Cureus

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Background: Obesity has become a major health concern worldwide and is associated with several diseases and complications. Losing weight is an effective strategy to improve body mass index and prevent the complications of obesity. However, weight loss is dependent on the attitude of individuals toward obesity as well as their willingness to lose weight.Aim: To explore attitudes toward obesity, willingness to lose weight, and treatment preferences among overweight and obese Saudi adults.Methods: An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted among overweight and obese Saudis. We targeted adults aged 18 years and older, who visited family medicine clinics at King Abdulaziz Medical City for the National Guard in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The study was conducted from December 2020 to June 2021 using a self-administered questionnaire.Results: Of the 403 participants, 82.5% were dissatisfied with their current body weight. Controlling chronic disease was a major motive for improving body weight (53.2%), and exercise and diet were the most preferred strategies to lose body weight. Age was a determinant in the attitude and willingness of participants to lose weight (p = 0.0001). Conclusion:Participants in the current study reported high dissatisfaction rates about current weight and willingness to improve body weight. This should encourage healthcare providers to initiate weight status discussions and management with their overweight and obese clients.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 73%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Attitudes Toward Obesity, Willingness to Lose Weight, and Treatment Preferences Among Overweight and Obese Saudi Adults

AlAteeq¹,

AlHomayed²,

AlBuraikan³

et al. 2022

Cureus

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Obesity Burden and Impact of Weight Loss in Saudi Arabia: A Modelling Study

et al. 2023

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Background Obesity and its complications are associated with morbidity, mortality and high economic cost in Saudi Arabia. Estimating this impact at the population level and potential benefits to be gained from obesity reduction is vital to underpin policy initiatives to prevent disease risks. Methods We combined data in an adapted version of the value of weight loss simulation model, to predict reductions in complication rates and cost savings achievable with 15% weight loss in Saudi Arabia over 10 years. To obtain model inputs, we conducted a systematic literature review (SLR) to identify data on the prevalence of obesity and its complications in Saudi Arabia, and surveyed specialist physicians and hospital administrators in public (governmental) and private healthcare sectors. We used combinations of age, sex, obesity and type 2 diabetes (T2D) rates in Saudi Arabia to sample a United Kingdom (UK) cohort, creating a synthetic Saudi Arabia cohort expected to be representative of the population. Results The synthetic Saudi Arabia cohort reflected expected comorbidity prevalences in the population, with a higher estimated prevalence of T2D, hypertension and dyslipidaemia than the UK cohort in all age groups. For 100,000 people with body mass index 30–50 kg/m 2 , it was estimated that 15% weight loss would lead to a 53.9% reduction in obstructive sleep apnoea, a 37.4% reduction in T2D and an 18.8% reduction in asthma. Estimated overall cost savings amounted to 1.026 billion Saudi Arabian Riyals; the largest contributors were reductions in T2D (30% of total cost savings for year 10), dyslipidaemia (26%) and hypertension (19%). Conclusions Sustained weight loss could significantly alleviate the burden of obesity-related complications in Saudi Arabia. Adopting obesity reduction as a major policy aim, and ensuring access to support and treatment should form an important part of the transformation of the healthcare system, as set out under ‘Vision 2030’. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12325-022-02415-8.

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Healthcare professionals perceptions of obesity management: An IMI2 SOPHIA qualitative study

Steenackers,

Willio,

Bruneel

et al. 2024

Clinical Obesity

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SummaryUnderstanding healthcare professionals' perceptions and approaches to obesity management is limited, as are the barriers impeding effective care. A questionnaire was developed to explore the perception, and barriers to obesity management. To ensure content validity, an expert and stakeholder panel evaluated the relevance and comprehension of each item. Consequently, a cross‐sectional survey was administered to endocrinologists (Endo), general practitioners (GP), and pharmacists (Pharm). A 46‐item questionnaire was developed, validated, and completed by 502 healthcare professionals (Endo: n = 127; GP: n = 138; Pharm: n = 237). The majority agreed that obesity is a chronic disease (Endo = 96%; GP = 92.7%; Pharm = 87%). The conversation about obesity management is mostly initiated by the healthcare professional (Endo = 95.3%; GP = 73.9%; Pharm = 5.9%) instead of the patient (Endo = 55.1%; GP = 21.7%; Pharm = 11.8%). All professionals stated unanimously that there is a need to optimise obesity care in Belgium with identified barriers: motivational (Endo = 90.8%; GP = 90.8%; Pharm = 89.2%), financial (Endo = 96.9%; GP = 88.5%; Pharm = 76.3%), and a lack of structure (Endo = 81.5%; GP = 78.6%; Pharm = 81.5%). A total of 42.4% of the healthcare providers indicated that they did not follow any additional training. These findings highlight that healthcare professionals recognise obesity as a chronic disease, but that barriers need to be addressed to enhance effective care and support for people living with obesity.

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Perceptions, attitudes, and barriers toward obesity management in Saudi Arabia

Cited by 10 publications

References 20 publications

Attitudes Toward Obesity, Willingness to Lose Weight, and Treatment Preferences Among Overweight and Obese Saudi Adults

Attitudes Toward Obesity, Willingness to Lose Weight, and Treatment Preferences Among Overweight and Obese Saudi Adults

Obesity Burden and Impact of Weight Loss in Saudi Arabia: A Modelling Study

Healthcare professionals perceptions of obesity management: An IMI2 SOPHIA qualitative study

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