Sleep Medicine &Research Center, Department of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Department of Hematology, Faculty of Medicine King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Obesity ,Saudi population ,Prevalence ,

Although obesity is increasing in Saudi Arabia at an alarming rate, its prevalence and health effects have not been well addressed in the region over the last decade. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine the increasing prevalence of obesity in Jeddah, Western region, Saudi Arabia. This is a cross sectional study, conducted from March 2013 till June 2013 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The target study population was Saudi schools employees. Stratified random sampling of Saudi employees from schools was accomplished in four regions of Jeddah city; south, northwest, east and center. List of Jeddah schools was obtained from the Ministry of Education; random sampling of schools from each area was performed. The Saudi employees from selected schools aged (30-60) years who agreed to participate in the study were recruited. Trained interviewers were assigned to these research camps to interview candidates individually to complete a Wisconsin sleep questionnaire, demographic data, medical history, consequently, and social class. Blood pressure measurement as well as anthropometric measures, including; height (H), weight, and body mass index (BMI) were performed. A total of 2661 subjects were recruited.The prevalence of obesity among the Saudi population, was 45.7% of the study population with no gender difference (47.2% and 52.8% of males and females respectively were obese). There were no differences between obese and non-obese groups regarding history of diabetes, hypertension, or bronchial asthma. Nevertheless, as far as measured blood pressure is concerned, these were significantly high in the obese group compared to the non-obese one, obesity is prevalent in Jeddah, and is increasing. It should be considered a serious public health problem that necessitates national interferences and resolutions.

5 , 7 , 2015