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Body mass index (BMI) in the Saudi population of Gassim

M A Soyannwo1, N Y Kurashi, M Gadallah

  • 1Nephrology Unit, King Fahd Specialist Hospital (KFSH), Buraidah, Gassim, Saudi Arabia.

African Journal of Medicine and Medical Sciences
|August 24, 1999
PubMed

Insights

This study found that body mass index (BMI) generally increases with age in Saudi adults, with females exhibiting higher BMI than males. Urban populations showed higher BMI, and significant proportions of adult females were overweight or obese.

Area of Science:

  • Public Health
  • Epidemiology
  • Anthropometry

Background:

  • Obesity is a growing global health concern with significant regional variations.
  • Understanding population-specific Body Mass Index (BMI) trends is crucial for targeted public health interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the prevalence and patterns of BMI across different age groups and genders in Saudi Arabia.
  • To investigate the relationship between BMI, age, gender, and urban/rural living environments.

Main Methods:

  • A cross-sectional population survey was conducted in the Faizia East Primary Health District, Buraidah, Gassim region.
  • Body Mass Index (BMI) was computed for 6,044 adult subjects (2,727 males, 3,317 females).
  • BMI data were analyzed using conventional 5-year and functional age groups, with statistical comparisons between genders and residential locations.

Main Results:

  • Mean BMI was higher in females (22.22 +/- 7.21) than males (20.14 +/- 5.98), a difference that was statistically significant (p=0.0000).
  • Urban residents had significantly higher BMI (21.66 +/- 6.92) compared to rural residents (20.44 +/- 6.33) (p=0.0000).
  • From age 15, approximately 25% of females were overweight (BMI > 25), and from age 30, 25% were obese (BMI > 30).
  • BMI showed a positive correlation with both systolic and diastolic blood pressure in both genders.

Conclusions:

  • The study highlights a significant prevalence of overweight and obesity among adult females in the studied Saudi population.
  • BMI trends indicate an increase with age, with higher rates in urban areas and a notable gender disparity.
  • Findings underscore the need for public health strategies to address obesity and related health risks in this region.

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