Barriers to a healthy lifestyle among patients attending primary care clinics at a university hospital in Riyadh

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES:The occurrence and progress of chronic non-communicable diseases (NCDs) is associated with unhealthy lifestyles and behaviors. Modification of barriers to healthy lifestyle can produce great benefits. The objective of this study was to identify barriers to physical activity and healthy eating among patients attending primary health care clinics in Riyadh city.PATIENTS AND METHODS:A cross-sectional study was conducted at King Khalid University Hospital (KKUH) in Riyadh city. Four hundred and fifty participants attending primary health care clinics (PHCC) from 1 March to 30 April 2007 were randomly selected. A questionnaire about barriers to physical activity and healthy eating was adapted from the CDC web site.RESULTS:The prevalence of physical inactivity among the Saudi population in the study was 82.4% (371/450). Females were more physically inactive (87.6%, 268/306) compared to males (71.5%, 103/144) (P<.001). The most common barrier to physical activity was lack of resources (80.5%, 326/405), which was significantly higher among females than males and among the lower income versus the higher income group. The most common barrier to healthy diet was lack of willpower. More than four-fifths (80.3%, 354/441) of the study group stated that they did not have enough will to stick to a diet.CONCLUSION:Lack of resources was the most important barrier for physical activity, while lack of willpower and social support were both barriers for adherence to physical activity and a healthy diet.

Self-management practices among type 2 diabetes patients attending primary health-care centres in Medina, Saudi Arabia

“…This indicates how hard it is to maintain a healthy diet in Saudi Arabia, where social connections are strong and people are expected to attend all social gatherings to which they are invited to eat the traditional food provided (15). This is similar to the situation in the Philippines, where the people have a strong connection with rice as a source of carbohydrate (16).…”

Adesão a modos saudáveis de vida mediante aconselhamento por profissionais de saúde

“…1,20 The socio-demographic context of low income and education contribute to the perception of the existence of obstacles to adherence, given that these factors are hindering the adoption of healthier habits. 3,19 Population studies on the individual factors associated with the use of medical consultations by adults show similar results to those found in this study, with greater participation of females, individuals from lower income backgrounds, Followed all of the guidelines given for a time and then gave up 21 12.4…”

Influence of smoking and job stress on the nutritional behaviour of factory workers in Ibadan metropolis

“…Goston et al (2012) noted that occupational categories may show differences in health-related behaviours such as diet and physical activity that contribute to chronic disease. Apart from occupational categories, various studies have identified a range of psychological, environmental and social factors that may influence an individual's readiness to engage in healthy eating and regular physical activity (Burton and Turrell, 2000;AlQuaiz and Tayel, 2009;Nomura et al, 2010). Among workers, the most common barriers to healthy diet at the individual level are lack of willpower (AlQuaiz and Tayel, 2009) and the cost of healthy foods (Pawlak and Colby, 2009).…”