There are various health problems experienced by various people across the globe. These problems may arise from different lifestyles, feeding habits and even hereditary. One of such disease is obesity. This paper seeks to give an in-depth analysis on obesity with special consideration to Saudi Arabia.
The number of persons in the world suffering from obesity has been on the increase. This disease is observed to affect both genders. As a result, combined efforts by all the stakeholders are necessary in order to educate all persons on how to control and avoid it. According to various researches conducted, it is observed that overall; women are more prone to being obese. This is clearly illustrated in the table below.
Appendix 1: Comparison of Prevalence of Overweight and Obesity among Young People in Different Countries
In Saudi Arabia, the prevalence of the condition cannot be assumed. There have been various researches conducted by the world health organization in relation to obese. The investigations are mainly conducted with the aim of quantifying the penetration of the disease to many regions of the country. In one of the research conducted on young people with obesity in Saudi Arabia, the results indicated that men were less affected by the condition. This is clearly illustrated in the table below.
Appendix 2: Comparison of Prevalence of Overweight and Obesity among Young People in Saudi Arabia by Percentage (%)
In Saudi Arabia, the distribution of obese condition is not uniform in all the regions. This is mainly attributed to the different lifestyles and feeding habits adopted by various persons according the region they reside. According to the investigations conducted, regions such as Hail, Al Qasim and Tabuk are more affected than Jizan, Madinah and Asir among others. A clearly representation of the obese percentage in various regions of Saudi Arabia is clearly presented in the table below.
Appendix 3: Prevalence of Obesity in Different Regions by Percentage (%)
Obesity is mainly manifested by increase fat in the body. This usually alters with the normal body metabolism and processes. As a result, the constraints imposed leads to the body being prone to other health conditions and diseases. Some of the most commonly diseases associated with obesity include Diabetes, high blood pressure, arthritis, back pain, heart disease and asthma. These health complications related to obesity are not only applicable to Saudi Arabia alone but to all countries across the globe. A precise representation of the chronic diseases associated with obesity among women in the gulf countries is illustrated in the table below.
Appendix 4: Chronic Diseases Associated With Obesity Among Women In Gulf Countries By Percentage (%)
There are various lifestyles adopted by various persons according to their location and resources. Some lifestyles are characterized with less physical bod exercise and thus fat accumulation in the body is evident. In getting a clear indication of the influence of various factors and lifestyles to the obese condition, factors such as availability of house maid, family history of obesity, smoking, watching television, walking regularly and exercise were considered. Some factors such as family history on obesity and exercise were observed to have much contribution to the probability of a person suffering from obesity. A detailed table of the various lifestyles and factors contributing to obese by percentage of adult people in gulf countries is given below.
Appendix 5: Factors And Life Style Patterns Associated With Obesity Among Adult People In Gulf Countries By Percentage (%)
It is evident that feeding is necessary to maintain the body processes. The feeding pattern is not uniform to all people and is observed to have some contribution to the degree one is prone to obesity. In addition, the quantity and components of the meals are important. For example, taking too many fruits or none contributes of obese condition and thus taking the quantity required by the body is necessary. A detailed analysis of the meals and food patterns associated with obesity is given in the table below.
Appendix 6: Meal And Food Patterns Associated With Obesity Among Young Women In Gulf Countries By Percentage (%)
The marital status of a person is observed to bear some importance in relation to obesity. It is observed that married women are more prone to obese than single women. A detailed analysis of marital status and obesity among women in the gulf countries is given in the table below.
Appendix 7: Marital Status Associated With Obesity Among Women In Gulf Countries By Percentage (%)
The importance of education has been evident in sectors of life. This has led to increase in the number of students in educational institutions. In Saudi Arabia, the number of students enrolling for primary school has been on the increase although it has not been directly reflected in secondary school enrolment. A detailed representation of primary and secondary school enrolment in Saudi Arabia from 2007 to 2009 is given in the tables below
Appendix 8: Primary School Enrolment in Saudi Arabia from 2007 to 2009 by Percentage (%net)
Appendix 9: Secondary School Enrolment in Saudi Arabia from 2007 to 2009 by Percentage (%Net)
The number of students who progresses to secondary school after the completion of primary school studies has been somehow stagnant. Despite this, more females than men have progressed to secondary school as illustrated below.
Appendix 10: Progression to Secondary School from Primary School in Saudi Arabia between Female and Male by Percentage (%)
In tertiary schools in Saudi Arabia, more students have been enrolled from 2006 to 2009. This is clearly illustrated ion the table below.
Appendix 11: School Enrolment, Tertiary in Saudi Arabia from 2006 to 2009 by Percentage (%gross)
The level of education among various persons is very crucial in making decisions on various activities undertaken by a person. It is evident that learned persons are better placed to make better decision. In relation to obesity, researches have shown that people with high education level and the employed are less prone to obesity than those with low education level and non-employed. A detailed analysis of the level of education and obesity among women in gulf countries is given in the table below.
Appendix 12: Level of Education Associated with Obesity among Women in Gulf Countries by Percentage (%)
Appendix 13: Employment Status Associated with Obesity Among Women in Gulf Countries by Percentage (%)
There are various sources of information on nutrition among various people. For adolescent girls in gulf countries, the source of nutrition information includes books, magazines, television, health workers, relatives and friends as shown below.
Appendix 14: Sources of Nutrition information among Adolescent Girls in Gulf Countries by Percentage (%)
Appendix 15: Keywords
Appendix 16: Summary of Systemic search
Conclusion
It is evident that obesity is affecting many people in the gulf countries as well as other countries. As a result, proper education on the causes and prevention to all persons would be of great help in controlling and curbing the health condition.