Association Between Lifestyle Factors and the Prevalence of Non-Communicable Diseases in Saudi Adults Across...

This cross-sectional study examined associations of lifestyle factors (physical activity (PA), diet, obesity, and smoking), age groups, and sex with the prevalence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in Saudi adults, including the World Health Organization (WHO) core NCDs (type 2 diabetes (T2DM), hypertension (HTN), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and NCD-associated conditions (osteoporosis (OP), chronic kidney disease (CKD)).

A cross-sectional study was conducted across Saudi Arabia involving 2877 participants aged ≥30 years. Data were collected via an electronic survey using a standardized questionnaire. PA was assessed using the International PA Questionnaire (IPAQ-SF), diet using the Alternative Healthy Eating Index (AHEI), and smoking using the WHO Global Adult Tobacco Survey.

Prevalence estimates were: OP 22%, diabetes 21.8%, HTN 13.4%, COPD 4.3%, and CKD 5.1%. All conditions were more prevalent among inactive vs. active individuals (e.g., diabetes: 23.5% vs. 18.8%). An unhealthy diet was associated with higher prevalence (e.g.

16.3% vs. 10.8%). Obesity showed the strongest association with diabetes (37.1% in obese vs. 14.9% in normal-weight). Smoking was associated with higher prevalence (e.g.

7.9% vs. 3.7%). Women had higher prevalence than men for most conditions (e.g., OP: 23.4% vs. 19.7%), except COPD (5.1% in men vs. 3.8% in women). Prevalence increased with age (e.g.

7.2% at age 30-40 vs. 17.3% at age > 60). All comparisons were tested using chi-square tests (p < 0.05).

The findings underscore an urgent need for targeted public health interventions to promote PA, improve nutrition, combat obesity, and reduce smoking.