Assessing the Capability to Embrace a Healthy Lifestyle in Saudi Arabia: A Deep Dive into Gender, Socioeconomic Factors, Perceived Health, and Regional Differences
Living a healthy lifestyle isn’t just beneficial—it’s essential for both short- and long-term wellbeing. With effective nutrition and consistent physical activity, individuals can enjoy myriad advantages, ranging from enhanced physical fitness to improved mental health (1). Yet, the rising prevalence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) globally, particularly in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), presents a compelling call to action.
The Growing Health Challenge
As our lifestyles evolve, so do our risks for health complications. In Saudi Arabia, the historical statistics on physical inactivity reveal alarming trends, with rates fluctuating between 4% and 44.5% over the years (4). Recent figures, however, portray a slight improvement, with obesity prevalence dropping from 28.7% in 2013 to 24.7% in 2020 (5–7). Nevertheless, national health initiatives aligned with Vision 2030 signal a proactive approach to promoting healthier habits (8–12).
Filling the Research Gap
Despite spirited governmental efforts, there remains a notable gap in understanding individual capabilities for adopting healthy lifestyles. Addressing this issue necessitates a closer look at factors such as sociodemographic status, education levels, psychological influences, and the ever-impactful environmental context (13, 14). Rapid urbanization in Saudi Arabia introduces obstacles that hinder healthy living (15), underlining the urgency to grasp how varying demographics engage differently with health practices.
A Comprehensive Investigation
In efforts to shed light on this critical issue, a recent study was conducted to assess the lifestyle habits of Saudi adults aged 18 and up. Employing a population-based cross-sectional approach, researchers explored the relationship between socioeconomic status, demographics, regional variances, and health perceptions to quantify the ability to embrace physical activity and nutritious diets.
Theoretical Framework
This research utilized the Capability-Opportunity-Motivation-Behavior (COM-B) model (16), which emphasizes the interplay of three core components: capability, opportunity, and motivation. Here, capability refers to the psychological and physical readiness to engage in healthy behaviors (17).
Methodology and Sample Characteristics
Utilizing a convenient sampling technique, the study garnered responses from 999 participants, comprising a diverse demographic landscape. Data was collected through an online questionnaire disseminated across popular social media platforms, ensuring a robust representation of the Saudi population (IRB log number: 23–0176). Across the study, key variables included:
- Sociodemographic Factors: Gender, age, marital status, education, occupation, income level, housing type, and geographic region.
- Health Status Assessments: Weight categories, perceived physical and psychological well-being, and the presence of chronic conditions.
- Capability for Healthy Lifestyle: Evaluated using the Capability Assessment for Diet and Activity (CADA) scale (19), reflecting participants’ opportunities and barriers to engaging in healthy diets and physical activities.
Table 1 illustrates the demographic distribution among the 999 participants—primarily Saudi nationals, with balanced representation across various age groups, educational backgrounds, and income levels.
Results
Key Findings on Capability
The findings highlighted a significant capability within the Saudi population to adopt healthy lifestyles, with an average CADA score of 3.28 out of 5. Breaking it down, average scores for the diet and physical activity components were 3.27 and 3.30, respectively. Notably, the component scores uncovered areas for improvement:
- Diet Knowledge: Participants showed potential understanding yet faced barriers, as represented by an average of 3.30 in the diet knowledge subscale.
- Physical Activity Barriers: Strikingly, this subscale scored lower at 2.18, emphasizing challenges in maintaining physical engagement.
Bivariate Analysis Insights
Through the bivariate analysis, it became evident that several factors significantly influenced individuals’ lifestyle capabilities:
- Age: Middle-aged participants (45-54 years) exhibited the highest overall scores, linking age to a greater propensity for adopting healthier behaviors.
- Education: Those achieving higher education levels, particularly postgraduate qualifications, ranked higher in overall CADA scores.
- Income Level: Those earning above 15,000 Saudi riyals reported higher lifestyle capability scores, suggesting a correlation between financial stability and health engagement.
- Housing Type: Residents of family houses or duplexes also presented higher scores than those living in smaller accommodations.
The geographical aspect was particularly striking, as participants from the central region demonstrated superior capabilities compared to other regions.
Multivariate Analysis and Discussion
Delving deeper into the dynamics of lifestyle adoption, multivariate analyses revealed independent significant relationships between:
- Gender: Males often displayed lower diet scores compared to females, highlighting potential gender-specific gaps in health literacy.
- Health Status: Perceived physical and mental well-being was crucial, with those lacking perceived health issues showing significantly higher capability scores.
This multifaceted exploration underscores the critical need for tailored public health interventions. Encouraging health-promoting perceptions, particularly in low-income communities, could foster necessary changes in lifestyle habits. Furthermore, community-driven initiatives addressing barriers and increasing access to healthy options are paramount for reducing health disparities (24).
Conclusion: Pathways Forward
To encapsulate, the study elucidates pivotal insights into the healthy lifestyle capabilities of Saudi adults, revealing significant correlations with socioeconomic variables, health perceptions, and regional factors. Addressing these elements will be crucial in shaping targeted public health strategies. As we focus on integrated approaches combining diet and physical activity initiatives, we possess an opportunity to elevate community health and promote sustainable outcomes across diverse populations.
By nurturing an environment conducive to healthy lifestyles—focused on education, community support, and enhanced access to resources—Saudi Arabia can pave the way towards a brighter, healthier future.
For additional insights about health initiatives and community support in wellness, check out the following resources: World Health Organization – NCDs, Public Health Agency of Canada – Healthy Living, and U.S. Department of Health & Human Services – Health and Nutrition.
This article reflects a comprehensive exploration of health behavior adoption among Saudi adults and aims to engage readers in considering the multitude of factors influencing lifestyle choices.
