Evaluation of Young Adults’ Physical Activity Status and Perceived Barriers in the Riyadh Region of Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Background

Physical activity (PA) is any prolonged movement produced by muscular tissues that cause the muscles to exert force. Despite its beneficial effect, it is frequently neglected by individuals. The present study aimed to determine the PA among young adults living in Saudi Arabia.

Methods

This cross-sectional study was conducted among Saudi adults living in the Riyadh region of Saudi Arabia from June to August 2022 through a self-administered online survey. Global Physical Activity Questionnaire was used to assess the PA among participants. The data were analyzed using statistical software SPSS v. 26.0 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA).

Results

Among the surveyed adult males were the predominant 67.8% (n= 240). Most of them were young, aged between 24 to 34 years 62.4% (n=221), and 37.6% (n=133) of them were between 35 and 44 years old. The current findings reported that 63% (n=223) of the adults had PA on weekly basis. Walking 45.2% (n=160) followed by bodybuilding 12.7% (n=45) was the most common type of PA identified among adults. The barriers identified for not practicing PA were lack of time 46.9% (n=166). With regard to a sedentary lifestyle, it was reported that 9.55 (SD= 4.887) hours per day are spent sedentary or in a constant sitting. The adults gender (p=0.046) employment (p=0.0001) and educational status (p=0.0001) was significantly associated with the type of PA engaged. Although being a female were shown more sitting behavior than males (p<0.047), similarly the nationality of the adults (6.67; SD=1.649) (p <0.001), education (p=0.028) and monthly household income (p =0.024) were significantly associated with the overall mean sitting behavior.

Conclusion

The findings of this study confirmed that Saudi adults yet posing highly sedentary behavior and physical inactivity, despite knowing the harmful outcomes of inactivity. Thus educating individuals about the importance of PA is warranted.

Keywords:

• walking
• running
• playing
• football
• weightlifting
• sitting
• sedentary behavior

Institutional Review Board Statement

This study was approved by the ethics committee at the college of medicine King Saud University, Riyadh Saudi Arabia with the following Approval of the Research Project (E-22-7368). Although before the beginning of the study or questionnaires, there was a statement about the informed consent and confidentiality of the data, who agreed and proceed to the study were considered as informed consent (Verbal) and included in the study.

Acknowledgments

The authors of this study extend their appreciation to the Research Supporting Project, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, for supporting this study (RSP-2023/378) and for funding this work.

Disclosure

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

Additional information

Funding

The author(s) disclosed receipt of the following financial support for the research, and/or publication of this article. This study was supported by the Research Supporting Project, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, (RSP-2023/378) which provided funding for this work.