The Prevalence of Obesity in Saudi Adolescents - Literature review Example

The Prevalence of Obesity in Saudi Adolescents Background There are about 350 million obese people and over a billion people with a higher body mass index or (BMI) worldwide (El Ansari et al, 2010). According to Mahfouz et al. (2008), Al-Rukban (2003) and El-Hazmi and Warsy (2002) obesity is a major nutritional disease that can have an impact on the quality of life of those affected. Moreover, obesity can lead to a number of health consequences such as chronic diseases like diabetes mellitus, cancer and cardiovascular disease (El Ansari et al. 2010) and other psychosocial, emotional and physical developmental problems (Al-Saeed 2007). Childhood obesity is not confined to industrialised countries, as high rates of overweight and obesity are already evident in some developing countries, like Thailand, which exhibited increasing obesity rates among school children 6–12 years of age from 1991 (12.2%) to 1993 (15.6%). Similarly, in 1996, the prevalence of obesity throughout Saudi Arabia was about 15.8% for males ranging from 6 to 18 years of age (Burniat 2002, p. 35). Saudi Arabia is a quickly developing country and the rapid urbanisation seems to be affecting the eating habits and lifestyles of Saudi adolescents of both genders. Urbanisation has resulted in the consumption of fast food, particularly foods with high fat and energy content such as cake, chocolate and French fries (Mahfouz et al. 2011). Although it cannot be considered a public health crisis at this time, obesity in childhood and adolescence can have a number of negative consequences, including the burdens of obesity-related morbidity and mortality in adulthood (Jelalian & Steele 2008). In a study of obesity in 13 Middle East countries, Moreno et al. (2011) suggested that there is an increasing prevalence of overweight and obesity from childhood to adulthood which is closely associated with the changing sociodemographic landscape and the adoption of Western-style living, which has lifestyle, economic and dietary consequences (p. 148). The issue of overweight and obesity is not just about the people affected; rather, it is a major public issue, not only in the West, but also in Arab countries. A study concerning the prevalence in Saudi Arabia suggested that 30 to 60 per cent of adult men were obese, while 35 to 75 per cent of adult women were either overweight or obese (Jabbour et al. 2012, p. 126). In Saudi Arabia, one study found a significant increase in the mean BMI of nulliparous women with age 30 to 60 years from 25.1 to 27.1. Similarly, there was also an increase in the mean BMI of women with 1–2, 3–4 and more than 4 parities from 29.8 to 31.7 of the same age bracket. Moreover, in urban areas, the prevalence of obesity was found to be more evident in women (Jabbour et al. 2012, p. 127). In Saudi Arabia, dietary changes during the last few decades are often viewed as the main contributing factor causing overweight and obesity. For instance, a Western diet is replacing the traditional diet, and this is often rich in carbohydrates, fats and proteins. In a study concerning the relationship between poor diet quality and impaired nutritional status among adolescents aged 13 to 18 years in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, 44.6 per cent of adolescent participants were found to be overweight, while 30.5 and 53.6 per cent were found to have high cholesterol and lower haemoglobin levels (ScholarlyEditions 2012, p. 2). As shown above, the prevalence of overweight and obesity in Saudi adolescents is therefore a major health issue requiring effective and timely resolution. Further investigation of studies conducted among Saudi adolescents may be necessary to clarify the extent to which adolescent boys and girls are affected by this nutritional disease in order to justify and encourage programmes that can reduce the prevalence and consequences of overweight and obesity in childhood. Aim of This Narrative Literature Review The aim of this narrative literature review is to investigate the prevalence of obesity in the Saudi adolescent population, identify the causal factors and associated risks and develop recommendations on how such life-threatening health issues can be prevented. Search Method/Strategy The main search strategy was developed in consideration of the aims and objectives of this study; thus it was necessary to search and consult different electronic databases and online search engines such as Yahoo and Google for other sources that contain information relevant to this study. Database Search Electronic searching including visiting online databases such as MEDLINE, PubMed, Global Health, CINAHL, Cochrane and Google Scholar. Website Search Electronic searching of country-specific websites, such as the Saudi Ministry of Health, Saudi Medical Journal, Annals of Saudi Medicine, Life Science Journal, Journal of Tropical Paediatrics and the World Health Organization was conducted. Inclusion Criteria (Please note that this is inclusion criteria or requirements for articles and therefore type, source, ranking (of articles during the search), and others must be mentioned) Date: > 2000 Country: Saudi Arabia Type: Published article; unpublished article; government report; technical report; editorial, book and book chapter, abstract, conference paper Source: Database; organisational website; grey literature or information produced by government, academics, business, and industry in print or electronic formats not controlled by commercial publishing. For example, technical report, memoranda, market research reports, and other official documents not published commercially. Journal: Health related (nutrition; overweight; and obesity) Rank: > 50% (This is search ranking. Only those higher than 50% are included) Exclusion Criteria Date: < 2000 Country: Any other country Type: N/A (Type of publication that is not listed in the Inclusion Criteria) Source: N/A (Source that is not listed in the Inclusion Criteria) Journal: Non–health related (Journals that is not health related contrary to the requirements in inclusion criteria) Rank: Read More