BackgroundObesity and overweight are accompanied with several different chronic diseases. Overweight and obesity can be measured by using body mass index (BMI) and is also used widely as an index of relative adiposity among any population. The aim of the study is to evaluate the prevalence of overweight and obesity among general population in Al-Kharj, Saudi Arabia.MethodsCross-sectional analysis was undertaken from a representative sample (N = 1019) of the Al Kharj population. Anthropometric measurements including the waist circumference (in centimeters), height (in meters), and weight (in kilograms) of the subjects were undertaken by means of standard apparatus. SPSS 24.0 was utilized for statistical analysis of the data.ResultsMajority of respondents in this study were overweight and obese (54.3%) compared with 45.7% being non-obese. A linear positive association of increasing BMI with older age groups was present in males and females. Men had larger waist circumference, weight and height measures as compared with their female counterparts. Regression analysis showed increasing age, being married and high serum cholesterol to be the significant predictors of overweight and obesity while gender, education level, job status, and having diabetes were not.ConclusionsThe obesity-overweight prevalence in the Saudi population is high mainly across both genders. However, the associated factors are potentially preventable and modifiable. The regional barriers to lifestyle modifications and interventions to encourage active lifestyles, especially among adolescents to limit the occurrence of obesity and ultimately promote health and wellbeing, are warranted. Furthermore, prospective studies are needed in future to confirm the aetiological nature of such associations.

Objectives The study aims at determining the prevalence of prediabetes and diabetes and at ascertaining some concomitant risk factors among males in Saudi Arabia. Methods A population-based cross-sectional study including 381 Saudi adult males from different institutions was recruited. Odds ratios for diabetes risk and risk factors were calculated using log-binomial and multinomial logistic regression, using STATA version 12. Results The participants included 381 diabetic males with a median age of 45 years, average body mass index of 25 ± 40 kg/m2, whereas waist circumferences ranged from 66 to 180 cm in the male study population. In addition, 27.82% had normal BMI, 32.28% were overweight, and 36.22% were obese. Around 36% had higher waist circumference, that is, >102 cm. Age, BMI, marital status, and educational attainment were statistically significant predictors for prediabetes and diabetes. Conclusion This study found that the prevalence of diabetes and prediabetes was 9.2% and 27.6%, respectively, for male Al-Kharj study population. The factors that increase the risk of diabetes and prediabetes include older age, obesity and overweight, being married, smoker, and having a civilian job and less education. All these factors were found statistically significant except smoking status and job type. In order to evaluate the causal relationship of these factors, prospective studies are required in future.

Background Chronic pain (CP) can be a symptom of many underlying health issues. The consequences of CP may vary from slight discomfort to disruption of quality of life and normal functioning. In this study, we aim to investigate the prevalence of CP and its associated factors in Al Kharj, Saudi Arabia. Methods This was a cross-sectional study conducted in Al Kharj, Saudi Arabia. We recruited 1031 participants for our study. Data was collected on socio-demographic, health predictors and anthropometric measurements (such as weight, height and waist circumference). The data analysis was performed on JMP®, Version 12. SAS Institute Inc., Cary, NC, 1989–2007. Results The prevalence of self-reported chronic pain in Al Kharj population was 19% with a mean age of 26.4 (SD = 8.6) years. The most common locations of pain included; back pain (30%), abdominal pain (26%), headache (13%), and any musculoskeletal pain (56%). Multiple logistic regression revealed that presence of a chronic disease (OR = 3.8; 95% CI = 2.3–6.2), psychological disease (OR = 2.3; 95% CI = 1.2–4.3), high General Health Questionnaire (GHQ)-12 score (OR = 1.06; 95% CI = 1.03–1.1), and pack-years of smoking (OR = 1.05; 95% CI = 1.01–1.08) were significantly related to chronic pain in Al Kharj population. Conclusions Our study results found a high burden of chronic pain in this selected Saudi population. The most prevalent pain was low back pain. The presence of chronic and psychological diseases were strongly related to chronic pain. Future prospective studies are needed to establish the temporal relationship of chronic pain with these factors.

Background/Objective: The prevalence of prediabetes and diabetes is reaching epidemic proportions across the globe. Therefore, this study aims to determine the prevalence of prediabetes and diabetes, together with its accompanying risk factors, among young females. Methods: An exploratory cross-sectional survey was conducted with 638 Saudi females in Alkharj, Saudi Arabia. Statistical analysis was carried out using STATA version 14. Odds ratios for the risk of diabetes and associated factors were calculated using log-binomial and multinomial logistic regression. Standardized prevalence and strata-specific prevalence of diabetes and prediabetes for different risk factors were also calculated. Findings: The study revealed that nondiabetics and prediabetics were more prevalent between the ages of 18 and 24 years, while diabetic patients were consistently between 25 to 44 years of age. The average value for HbA1c in females was 5.44. Regression analysis shows that being older, married, obese, a smoker or less educated significantly increases the risk for both prediabetes and diabetes. Mutivariable analysis revealed obesity had a significant association with both prediabetes and diabetes. Prediabetics were 2.35 times more likely to be obese as compared to nondiabetics, with 95% CI (1.38–3.99). Similarly, diabetics were 6.67 times more likely to be obese compared to nondiabetics 95% CI (1.68–26.42). Conclusion: Our study shows the prevalence of diabetes and prediabetes among females from Al Kharj was 3.8% and 18.8%, respectively. The diabetic and prediabetic female participants had higher mean BMI and waist circumference, were older in age, were married, and smoked as compared to nondiabetics. In the context of the findings of our study, and keeping in view the the burden of this disease globally and in our population, it has now become extremely important to understand these factors and encourage health-promoting behaviors to construct effective interventions.

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