Saudi Arabia
- Overview
- Obesity prevalence
- Population breakdowns
- Drivers
- Comorbidities
- Health systems
- Actions
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National obesity risk *7/10This is a composite ‘obesity risk’ score (out of 10, the highest risk) based on obesity prevalence, rate of increase, likelihood of meeting the 2025 target, treatment indicator and childhood stunting levels.Childhood obesity risk *7.5/11This is a ‘risk score’ for each country’s likelihood of having or acquiring a major childhood obesity problem during the 2020s, taking account of current prevalence levels and risk for future obesity (based on stunting among infants, maternal obesity, maternal smoking, and breastfeeding rates).
* Based on estimated data. For more information see Publications
Obesity prevalence
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The report card collates all the most-recent graphics for this country. If you would like to produce a custom report based on selected graphics, just tap the Add to custom PDF button below the graphics you would like to use.Population breakdowns
Drivers
Comorbidities
Health systems
Actions
Obesity prevalence
Adults, 2013
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 15+ |
| Sample size: | 10735 |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | Saudi Health Interview Survey (SHIS) |
| Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
Adults, 2005
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 25-64 |
| Sample size: | 3571 |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | Al-Hamdan, NA; Kutbi, A; Choudhry AJ; Nooh R; Shoukri M; Mujib, SA.WHO Stepwise approach to NCD Surveillance Country-Specific Standard Report Saudi Arabia (2005) Ministry of Health Saudia Arabia in colaboration with WHO, EMRO |
| Notes: | Data for 15-24yrs also available |
| Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
Adults, 1995-2000
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 30+ |
| Sample size: | 17223 |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | Mansour Al-Nozha, et al. (2005). Obesity in Saudi Arabia. Saudi Medical Journal, 26:824 - 829. WHO Infobase. |
| Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
Adults, 1989-1994
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 18+ |
| Sample size: | 6253 |
| References: | Osman AK, Al-Nozha MM. Risk factors of coronary artery disease in different regions of Saudi Arabia. Eastern Mediterranean health Journal;6:465-474 |
| Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
Children, 2015
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 6-16 |
| Sample size: | 7930 |
| Area covered: | Regional |
| References: | Al-Hussaini A, Bashir MS, Khormi M, et al. Overweight and obesity among Saudi children and adolescents: Where do we stand today?. Saudi J Gastroenterol. 2019;25(4):229–235. doi:10.4103/sjg.SJG_617_18 |
| Notes: | Region: Riyadh City (urban), WHO 2007 Cut Off |
| Cutoffs: | WHO |
Children, 2013-2014
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 15-18 |
| Sample size: | 968 |
| Area covered: | Subnational (Dammam) |
| References: | Musaiger A.O et al. 2016. Prevalence of overweight and obesity among adolescents in eight Arab countries: comparison between two international standards (ARABEAT-2). Nutr Hosp. 33(5). pp. 1062-1065. |
| Notes: | IOTF cut-offs used NOTE: 2016 data available, sample size (1109). Al-Ghamdi et al. 2018. Prevalence of overweight and obesity based on the body mass index; a cross-sectional study in Alkharj, Saudi Arabia. Lipids in Health and Disease. 17 (134). Doi: 10.1186/s12944-018-0778-5. |
| Cutoffs: | IOTF |
Children, 2005
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 13-17 |
| Sample size: | 19317 |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | El Mouzan MI, Foster PJ, Al Herbish AS et al. Prevalence of overweight and obesity in Saudi children and adolescents. Ann Saudi Med. 2010 May-Jun; 30(3): 203–208. |
| Notes: | WHO 2007 Cut OFF. Not IOTF Cut off. Comparison with CDC cut off also available |
| Cutoffs: | WHO |
Children, 1994-1998
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 5-17 |
| Sample size: | 12698 |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | Elhazmi Mohsen AF and Warsy AS. (2002). The prevalence of overweight and obesity in 1 - 18 years-old Saudi Children. Annuals Saudi Medicals, 22(5-6):303 - 307. |
| Notes: | IOTF Cut off. Reference: Cole TJ, Bellizzi MC, Flegal KM, Dietz WH. Establishing a standard definition for child overweight and obesity worldwide: International survey. BMJ. 2000 May 6;320(7244):1240-3. |
| Cutoffs: | IOTF |
Overweight/obesity by education
Children, 2006
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 6-16 |
| Sample size: | 1243 |
| Area covered: | Riyadh |
| References: | Al Alwan İ, Al Fattani A, Longford N. The Effect of Parental Socioeconomic Class on Children’s Body Mass Indices. Journal of Clinical Research in Pediatric Endocrinology. 2013;5(2):110-115. doi:10.4274/Jcrpe.898. |
| Notes: | Prevalence of overweight and obesity by Fathers Education Obesity and overweight were defined using the WHO 2007 growth standards. |
| Cutoffs: | WHO |
Overweight/obesity by age
Adults, 2013
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Sample size: | 10735 |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | Saudi Health Interview Survey (SHIS) 2013. Ministry of Health. http://www.healthdata.org/sites/default/files/files/Projects/KSA/Saudi-Health-Interview-Survey-Results.pdf (last accessed 2 August 2016) |
| Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
Children, 2006
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Sample size: | 7056 |
| Area covered: | Eastern Province |
| References: | Al-Dossary SS, Sarkis PE, Hassan A, Ezz El Regal M, Fouda AE. Obesity in Saudi children: a dangerous reality. East Mediterr Health J. 2010 Sep;16(9):1003-8. |
| Notes: | This study used the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) 2000 growth charts to define BMI. The children were classified into 3 weight categories: normal weight (BMI < 85th percentile for age and sex), overweight(BMI between 85th–95th percentiles) and obese (BMI > 95th percentile). |
| Cutoffs: | CDC |
Overweight/obesity by region
Boys, 2009-2010
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 14-19 |
| Sample size: | 2,908 |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | Al-Hazzaa, Abahussain, Al-Sobayel, Qahwaji, Alsulaiman, and Musaiger. 2014. Prevalence of Overweight, Obesity, and Abdominal Obesity among Urban Saudi Adolescents: Gender and Regional Variations. J Health Popul Nutr. 32(4). pp. 634-645. |
| Notes: | IOTF cut-offs used. |
| Cutoffs: | IOTF |
Girls, 2009-2010
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 14-19 |
| Sample size: | 2,908 |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | Al-Hazzaa, Abahussain, Al-Sobayel, Qahwaji, Alsulaiman, and Musaiger. 2014. Prevalence of Overweight, Obesity, and Abdominal Obesity among Urban Saudi Adolescents: Gender and Regional Variations. J Health Popul Nutr. 32(4). pp. 634-645. |
| Notes: | IOTF cut-offs used. |
| Cutoffs: | IOTF |
Overweight/obesity by socio-economic group
Children, 2006
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 6-16 |
| Sample size: | 1243 |
| Area covered: | Riyadh |
| References: | Al Alwan İ, Al Fattani A, Longford N. The Effect of Parental Socioeconomic Class on Children’s Body Mass Indices. Journal of Clinical Research in Pediatric Endocrinology. 2013;5(2):110-115. doi:10.4274/Jcrpe.898. |
| Notes: | Prevalence of overweight and obesity by Income (Saudi Riyal/Month). Obesity and overweight were defined using the WHO 2007 growth standards. |
| Cutoffs: | WHO |
Insufficient physical activity
Adults, 2016
| References: | Guthold R, Stevens GA, Riley LM, Bull FC. Worldwide trends in insufficient physical activity from 2001 to 2016: a pooled analysis of 358 population-based surveys with 1.9 million participants. Lancet 2018 http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S2214-109X(18)30357-7 |
Men, 2016
| References: | Guthold R, Stevens GA, Riley LM, Bull FC. Worldwide trends in insufficient physical activity from 2001 to 2016: a pooled analysis of 358 population-based surveys with 1.9 million participants. Lancet 2018 http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S2214-109X(18)30357-7 |
Women, 2016
| References: | Guthold R, Stevens GA, Riley LM, Bull FC. Worldwide trends in insufficient physical activity from 2001 to 2016: a pooled analysis of 358 population-based surveys with 1.9 million participants. Lancet 2018 http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S2214-109X(18)30357-7 |
Estimated per-capita fruit intake
Adults, 2017
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 25+ |
| References: | Global Burden of Disease, the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation http://ghdx.healthdata.org/ |
| Definitions: | Estimated per-capita fruit intake (g/day) |
Estimated per-capita processed meat intake
Adults, 2017
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 25+ |
| References: | Global Burden of Disease, the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation http://ghdx.healthdata.org/ |
| Definitions: | Estimated per-capita processed meat intake (g per day) |
Estimated per-capita whole grains intake
Adults, 2017
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 25+ |
| References: | Global Burden of Disease, the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation http://ghdx.healthdata.org/ |
| Definitions: | Estimated per-capita whole grains intake (g/day) |
Mental health - depression disorders
Adults, 2015
| References: | Prevalence data from Global Burden of Disease study 2015 (http://ghdx.healthdata.org) published in: Depression and Other Common Mental Disorders: Global Health Estimates. Geneva:World Health Organization; 2017. Licence: CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 IGO. |
| Definitions: | % of population with depression disorders |
Mental health - anxiety disorders
Adults, 2015
| References: | Prevalence data from Global Burden of Disease study 2015 (http://ghdx.healthdata.org) published in: Depression and Other Common Mental Disorders: Global Health Estimates. Geneva:World Health Organization; 2017. Licence: CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 IGO. |
| Definitions: | % of population with anxiety disorders |
Oesophageal cancer
Men, 2018
| Age: | 20+ |
| References: | Global Cancer Observatory, Cancer incidence rates http://gco.iarc.fr/ (last accessed 30th June 2020) |
| Definitions: | Estimated age-standardized incidence rates (World) in 2018, oesophagus, adults ages 20+. ASR (World) per 100,000 |
Women, 2018
| Age: | 20+ |
| References: | Global Cancer Observatory, Cancer incidence rates http://gco.iarc.fr/ (last accessed 30th June 2020) |
| Definitions: | Estimated age-standardized incidence rates (World) in 2018, oesophagus, adults ages 20+. ASR (World) per 100,000 |
Breast cancer
Women, 2018
| Age: | 20+ |
| References: | Global Cancer Observatory, Cancer incidence rates http://gco.iarc.fr/ (last accessed 30th June 2020) |
| Definitions: | Estimated age-standardized incidence rates (World) in 2018, breast, females, ages 20+. ASR (World) per 100,000 |
Colorectal cancer
Men, 2018
| Age: | 20+ |
| References: | Global Cancer Observatory, Cancer incidence rates http://gco.iarc.fr/ (last accessed 30th June 2020) |
| Definitions: | Estimated age-standardized incidence rates (World) in 2018, colorectum, adults, ages 20+. ASR (World) per 100,000 |
Women, 2018
| Age: | 20+ |
| References: | Global Cancer Observatory, Cancer incidence rates http://gco.iarc.fr/ (last accessed 30th June 2020) |
| Definitions: | Estimated age-standardized incidence rates (World) in 2018, colorectum, adults, ages 20+. ASR (World) per 100,000 |
Pancreatic cancer
Men, 2018
| Age: | 20+ |
| References: | Global Cancer Observatory, Cancer incidence rates http://gco.iarc.fr/ (last accessed 30th June 2020) |
| Definitions: | Estimated age-standardized incidence rates (World) in 2018, pancreas, adults, ages 20+. ASR (World) per 100,000 |
Women, 2018
| Age: | 20+ |
| References: | Global Cancer Observatory, Cancer incidence rates http://gco.iarc.fr/ (last accessed 30th June 2020) |
| Definitions: | Estimated age-standardized incidence rates (World) in 2018, pancreas, adults, ages 20+. ASR (World) per 100,000 |
Gallbladder cancer
Men, 2018
| Age: | 20+ |
| References: | Global Cancer Observatory, Cancer incidence rates http://gco.iarc.fr/ (last accessed 30th June 2020) |
| Definitions: | Estimated age-standardized incidence rates (World) in 2018, gallbladder, adults, ages 20+. ASR (World) per 100,000 |
Women, 2018
| Age: | 20+ |
| References: | Global Cancer Observatory, Cancer incidence rates http://gco.iarc.fr/ (last accessed 30th June 2020) |
| Definitions: | Estimated age-standardized incidence rates (World) in 2018, gallbladder, adults, ages 20+. ASR (World) per 100,000 |
Kidney cancer
Men, 2018
| Age: | 20+ |
| References: | Global Cancer Observatory, Cancer incidence rates http://gco.iarc.fr/ (last accessed 30th June 2020) |
| Definitions: | Estimated age-standardized incidence rates (World) in 2018, kidney, adults, ages 20+. ASR (World) per 100,000 |
Women, 2018
| Age: | 20+ |
| References: | Global Cancer Observatory, Cancer incidence rates http://gco.iarc.fr/ (last accessed 30th June 2020) |
| Definitions: | Estimated age-standardized incidence rates (World) in 2018, kidney, adults, ages 20+. ASR (World) per 100,000 |
Cancer of the uterus
Women, 2018
| Age: | 20+ |
| References: | Global Cancer Observatory, Cancer incidence rates http://gco.iarc.fr/ (last accessed 30th June 2020) |
| Definitions: | Estimated age-standardized incidence rates (World) in 2018, cervix uteri, females, ages 20+. ASR (World) per 100,000 |
Raised blood pressure
Adults, 2015
| References: | Global Health Observatory data repository, World Health Organisation, http://apps.who.int/gho/data/node.main.A875?lang=en |
| Definitions: | Age Standardised estimated % Raised blood pressure 2015 (SBP>=140 OR DBP>=90). |
Men, 2015
| References: | Global Health Observatory data repository, World Health Organisation, http://apps.who.int/gho/data/node.main.A875?lang=en |
| Definitions: | Age Standardised estimated % Raised blood pressure 2015 (SBP>=140 OR DBP>=90). |
Women, 2015
| References: | Global Health Observatory data repository, World Health Organisation, http://apps.who.int/gho/data/node.main.A875?lang=en |
| Definitions: | Age Standardised estimated % Raised blood pressure 2015 (SBP>=140 OR DBP>=90). |
Raised cholesterol
Adults, 2008
| References: | Global Health Observatory data repository, World Health Organisation, http://apps.who.int/gho/data/node.main.A885 |
| Definitions: | % Raised total cholesterol (>= 5.0 mmol/L) (age-standardized estimate). |
Men, 2008
| References: | Global Health Observatory data repository, World Health Organisation, http://apps.who.int/gho/data/node.main.A885 |
| Definitions: | % Raised total cholesterol (>= 5.0 mmol/L) (age-standardized estimate). |
Women, 2008
| References: | Global Health Observatory data repository, World Health Organisation, http://apps.who.int/gho/data/node.main.A885 |
| Definitions: | % Raised total cholesterol (>= 5.0 mmol/L) (age-standardized estimate). |
Raised fasting blood glucose
Men, 2014
| References: | Global Health Observatory data repository, World Health Organisation, http://apps.who.int/gho/data/node.main.A869?lang=en |
| Definitions: | Age Standardised % raised fasting blood glucose (>= 7.0 mmol/L or on medication). |
Women, 2014
| References: | Global Health Observatory data repository, World Health Organisation, http://apps.who.int/gho/data/node.main.A869?lang=en |
| Definitions: | Age Standardised % raised fasting blood glucose (>= 7.0 mmol/L or on medication). |
Diabetes prevalence
Adults, 2017
| References: | Reproduced with kind permission of IDF, International Diabetes Federation. IDF Diabetes Atlas, 8th edition. Brussels, Belgium: International Diabetes Federation, 2017. http://www.diabetesatlas.org |
| Definitions: | Diabetes age-adjusted comparative prevalence (%). |
Health systems
Economic classification: High Income
Health systems summary
Saudi Arabia has a national health care system that is provided and financed by the Ministry of Health. Full and free at point of service care is available to all citizens (as well as expats working within the public sector), with services provided for at primary, secondary and tertiary level. Free healthcare is also provided to the approximately 2 million pilgrims visiting the holy cities (Mecca & Medina), putting an immense strain on the healthcare budget. This public system also struggles with staffing, with most health professionals being expatriates.
To complement the national system, there is cooperative health insurance provided by private employers and the government (for public workers only). This is compulsory for all working non-Saudi nationals and Saudi nationals who work in the private sector. Citizens also have the choice to have private health insurance schemes to enter the private healthcare system.
Indicators
| Where is the country’s government in the journey towards defining ‘Obesity as a disease’? | Defined as disease |
| Where is the country’s healthcare provider in the journey towards defining ‘Obesity as a disease’? | Some progress |
| In practice, how is obesity treatment largely funded? | Not known |
| Is there specialist training available dedicated to the training of health professionals to prevent, diagnose, treat and manage obesity? | Yes |
| Have any taxes or subsidies been put in place to protect/assist/inform the population around obesity? | Yes |
| Are there adequate numbers of trained health professionals in specialties relevant to obesity in urban areas? | Partial |
| Are there adequate numbers of trained health professionals in specialties relevant to obesity in rural areas? | No |
| Are there any obesity-specific recommendations or guidelines published for adults? | Yes |
| Are there any obesity-specific recommendations or guidelines published for children? | Yes |
Summary of stakeholder feedback
Stakeholders reported that a lot of work have been done around obesity prevention and control in recent years, with obesity being recognised as a disease by many.
There is said to be a range of treatment options available that are government funded. Demand, however, is high in the public sector and so many of those seeking treatment obtain support via the private system as an out of pocket expense. Demand in the public system is said to be so high that people only get treatment when there have comorbidities, and even then, it is on a case by case basis. Bariatric surgery and obesity medication is also covered by the cooperative health insurance for those that meet the criteria (BMI ≥ 45 kg/m² for surgery) but this is a recent change.
It was generally agreed that one of the main ways in which people enter the system is via referral when they have comorbidities and their obesity is affecting their health. However, treatments are more readily available in urban areas, with patients in rural areas commonly referred to the cities.
Stakeholders noted that government and association guidelines exist but suggested that these are not yet fully implemented within the health system and at times they did not match insurance criteria. For example, government guidelines recommended surgical intervention for those with a BMI ≥ 35 kg/m² with comorbidities, but cooperative health insurance only covers surgery when BMI ≥ 45 kg/m².
It was reported that there is limited specialist obesity training available. There appears to be a focus on bariatric surgery, with trainees funded to train. Away from this, there is one bariatric surgery fellowship program and a bariatric medicine fellowship program, but they are both located in Riyadh. Stakeholders called for more training that encouraged multidisciplinary working.
Based on interviews/survey returns from 6 stakeholders
Last updated: June 2020
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