Obesity and Body Image Perception among the Community in Saudi Arabia: A Mini Literature Review

Mini Review

J Fam Med. 2022; 9(8): 1320.

Obesity and Body Image Perception among the Community in Saudi Arabia: A Mini Literature Review

Almunammis S¹* and Parentela GM²

1Staff Nurse, MOH Cluster 3, Erada Complex, Riyadh, KSA

2Assistant Professor, King Saud University, Riyadh, KSA

*Corresponding author: Sultan Almunammis, Staff Nurse, MOH Cluster 3, Erada Complex, Riyadh, KSA

Received: October 25, 2022; Accepted: November 17, 2022; Published: November 24, 2022

Abstract

Background: Obesity is a risk factor for several deadly diseases that have a substantial adverse influence on health. The early onset of diabetes, polycystic ovaries, hypertension, and other disorders are among the recent error number of problems that are a tracking factor for health. Individual obesity is the root cause of all these issues, particularly among young people.

Aim: Based on current publications, this study aims to ascertain the prevalence rate of obesity and related risk factors among Saudi Arabian students.

Method: A qualitative review of the literature was carried out by operationalizing the internet search engines Pub Med, Science Direct, Google Scholar, and Research Gate. Studies combine all the relevant information from 10 publications on obesity and students' body perceptions. All primary studies were carried out in English between 2017 and 2021.

Conclusion: Obesity and body image perception are the most influential factors in a student's social life. These issues have an impact on the academic period as well. The study found that students' perceptions of body image and obesity influenced their participation in academic and extracurricular activities and various school management programs regarding expertise, performance, and selection criteria. It should be noted that school-age children should keep their diet and eating habits to protect themselves from the outside world, including social interaction, pathogens, and others.

Keywords: Obesity; Overweight; Students; Article review; Young student; School-age saudi arabia

Introduction

Around the world, there has been severe worry about how quickly obesity is becoming more prevalent among young kids. The World Health Organization (WHO) views abnormal or excessive weight gain as a risk factor for health issues, regardless of height or weight. Diabetes and hypertension are two conditions that can have significant health repercussions and are more prone to develop in obese people. According to its definition, obesity is a significant health issue brought on by a variety of variables, such as a person's behavior and genetics, physical activity or inactivity, dietary preferences, drug use, and other potential causes that could be looked into. The environment in which one eats and exercises, education and skill set, and food marketing and advertising significantly impact one's general health. Obesity is a severe problem that has a detrimental impact on mental health and lowers the quality of life. According to research done domestically and abroad, it is connected to some of the most common killers globally.

Obesity and overweight have become more common over the past few decades, and women frequently have greater prevalence rates than men. Although it is commonly recognized that obesity has adverse effects on young adults' health, body image issues are also far more prevalent. Obese or overweight people can develop mental distress and depressive symptoms. People who are overweight or obese do not generally enjoy their company. Unfavorable preconceptions about weight, including the notion that overweight or obese persons lack self-discipline, are weak-willed, ineffective, and dull, are lethargic, and do not stick with weight-loss programs, have been the subject of numerous research. Thus, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, fatty liver, apnea, metabolic syndrome, hypercholesterolemia, gallbladder problems, lung problems, and osteoarthritis are all associated with obesity.

Over time, society's perception of obesity has evolved. It used to signify male success and wealth and female health and fertility, but it is now seen as a health issue and a risk factor for many diseases. Over the world, the risk of obesity is higher for women, the impoverished, and the elderly. In the Middle East, women are more likely than men to be obese, and the Gulf region has one of the highest rates of obesity worldwide. However, in other high-income counties, there are no appreciable differences between genders in obesity prevalence at the national level. In addition, Saudi Arabia's eating and living practices have changed significantly throughout time due to the nation's increasing westernization. These changes will be anticipated to alter how common chronic diseases are in society, notably obesity. By 2025, the World Health Organization predicts that 70 million young children will be overweight or obese globally. Hence, people who are obese are stigmatized as being frail, lazy, lacking in self-worth, and unwilling to change their habits for the sake of their health. Contrary to widespread assumption, overeating and inactivity are not the primary causes of obesity. A manageable risk factor for obesity, the only illness with no symptoms, is weight reduction. The study aims to determine the prevalence of obesity and associated risk factors among Saudi Arabian students.

Methodology

Database Searching

A qualitative research review was conducted by operationalizing the internet search engines Pub Med, Science Direct, Google Scholar, and Research Gate. The studies contain all the necessary information regarding overweight and young students' body views.

Inclusion and Exclusion Criteria

All primary studies were carried out in English between 2017 and 2021. Because this article focuses on those that significantly affect obesity, we have included every research that has explored these traits. Most of our investigations were done within the last two years because we also considered research and articles no more than five years old. The last study we are looking at is from Saudi Arabia.

Study Characteristics

The inclusion of peer-reviewed journal papers, which are thought to be the most appropriate and efficient in terms of their authenticity, dependability, and validity, make the current literature review study astounding.

Assessment of Risk of Bias

Research has been done on the relationship between obesity and how young college students see their bodies. In adolescence and adulthood, there is an increase in body image protection. Researchers from other contexts, particularly from the United States and numerous other parts of the world, influence the research regarding context, religion, methodology, and personal matters.

Aim of Review

Based on current publications, this study aims to ascertain the prevalence rate of obesity and related risk factors among Saudi Arabian students.

Review Discussion

The Prevalence Rate of Obesity in Young Society

Several studies have provided information on the prevalence of obesity in Saudi Arabia, including the population's prevalence of overweight and obesity. It is nonetheless noteworthy since it shows that either no preventative efforts were made or they were insufficient. Minor gender disparities existed in these connections. However, the risk of prediabetes, diabetes, dyslipidemia, and hypertension was found to be inversely correlated with Body Mass Index (BMI) [7]. According to the study conducted by [4], which might be further explored, there is a significant variation in the prevalence rate from one location to another. Even though obesity rates are dropping, about 25% of study participants were overweight or obese. Today, obesity is linked to several health problems, each of which has the potential to lower a person's quality of life, increase the burden on the nation's healthcare system, and complicate efforts to manage the economy. The results show that Saudi Arabia has to pay more attention to the problem of obesity. Overall, 63.6% of Hail's population was found to be obese. In addition, the sample population of the poll showed that women outnumbered men by a ratio of 71% to 56.2% [3]. The study by Al-Qahtani [6] revealed a significant incidence of overweight and obesity, which should be treated as a public health issue and addressed with targeted community-level interventions and interdisciplinary activities starting in early infancy as a fundamental prevention program.

Citation:Almunammis S and Parentela GM. Obesity and Body Image Perception among the Community in Saudi Arabia: A Mini Literature Review. J Fam Med. 2022; 9(8): 1320.