The Social Problems of Morbidly Obese Patients on a Community Level: A Cross-Sectional Study in Saudi Arabia

To identify the predictors and social problems of obese patients in Saudi Arabia.

A cross-sectional study was conducted for the period between July 2016 and January 2017. The study population consisted of obese patients visiting the surgery clinics following the medical examinations required before obesity surgery. Patients were recruited from four main medical centres in Riyadh: King Fahad Medical City, University Medical City-King Khalid University Hospital, King Abdulaziz Medical City in the National Guard, and Prince Sultan Military Medical City. The study questionnaire tool was developed based on extensive literature. The questionnaire tool explored personal and demographic characteristics of obese patients and the social problems that morbidly obese patients suffer from at the community level. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify predictors of those facing social problems.

A total of 374 patients completed the questionnaires. We found that having a bachelor's degree, a body mass index (BMI) of 40 kg/m² and above, and other comorbidities were important predictors that increased the likelihood of having social problems related to obesity on a community level (p<0.05). On the other hand, having a high income (11,000 SR/per month and above) was a protective factor that was associated with lower odds of having social problems related to obesity on a community level (p<0.05).

Obese patients with low socioeconomic status, having a bachelor's degree, and those with comorbidities tend to have social problems. Future studies to investigate the predictors or social problems among obese patients on a larger scale are warranted.