Creating a Healthy Built Environment for Diabetic Patients: The Case Study of the Eastern Province of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Many studies worldwide have demonstrated the negative impact of an unhealthy built environment on citizens. In the case of diabetes, studies have concentrated on the environmental impact and accessibility issues of a place i.e. the home and neighborhood, whereas few studies have addressed the comfort of the type and spatial arrangement of a household and linked it with the prevalence of diabetes. Also, little research has tackled the place’s impact on diabetic patients and their views concerning their environments. This paper demonstrates the outcomes of survey that was carried out on diabetic individuals who usually visit the King Fahd teaching hospital of the University of Dammam, Al-Khober, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). The patients were surveyed and physically examined. The present researchers found significant links between patients’ diabetes symptoms such as reported paresthesia and blurred vision, and medical investigations results such as lipid profile, blood glucose and blood pressure with the environmental conditions of their homes and neighborhoods. The paper shows that the prevalence of the disease is not only caused by an unhealthy lifestyle but also by an unhealthy built environment. Moreover, it illustrates that unhealthy built environment promotes unhealthy life styles. It makes recommendations on how to improve the built environment in the KSA to be healthier for all citizens including the diabetic patients.

The Twazon Arabic Weight Loss App: App-Based Intervention for Saudi Women With Obesity

“…A review study [43] indicated that participants were more conscious of certain diet and lifestyle habits after the intervention, despite not having used the app because of the information they received during the assessments and questionnaires. In terms of PA improvements, the lack of significant differences was not unexpected for 2 main reasons: first, a meta-analysis of weight-loss apps showed no significant changes in PA [12], and second, three-quarters of Saudi women are characterized as insufficiently active [44], ranking as the least physically active worldwide. Causes for the lack of PA in the KSA include an absence of locations designed for general PA such as sidewalks or green spaces and very limited options for female-oriented PA; only high-cost gyms or sports clubs exist which means that normal daily walking or aerobic movement is not a common activity for either gender [45].…”

Double diabetes in Saudi Arabia: A new entity or an underestimated condition

“…Therefore, the trend of increasing obesity seems to play a prominent part in the rising incidence and changing phenotype of T1D among adolescents and children[7]. Some lifestyle changes and precautions can be incorporated to deter the development of DD for those with and without DM[12,18,19]. …”

Risk Factors for and Barriers to Control Type-2 Diabetes among Saudi Population

“…The association between physical inactivity as a risk factor for T2D was assessed in many studies ( Alqurashi et al, 2011 ; Al-Quwaidhi, Critchley, Flaherty, & Pearce, 2013 ; Amin et al, 2014 ; Hu, 2011 ; Qi et al, 2008 ; Midhet et al, 2010a ; Temelkova-Kurktschiev & Stefanov, 2012 ). Unfortunately, lack of physical activity is common among the Saudi population ( Al-Nozha et al, 2007 ; Amin et al, 2014 ; Amin, Al Khoudair, Al Harbi, & Al Ali, 2012 ; Midhet et al, 2010a ; Sidawi et al, 2014 ). For example, AlQuaiz and Tayel (2009) conducted a cross-sectional study on 450 Saudi participants at King Khalid University Hospital (KKUH) in Riyadh city and reported the prevalence of physical inactivity among the participants was 82%.…”

“…Certain dietary patterns are homegrown in Saudi Arabia including the consumption of dates, desserts, and meat over rice dishes which contains a high content of fat and carbohydrates ( Al-Khudairy et al, 2014 ; Midhet et al, 2010b ). Additionally, Sidawi et al (2014) reported a quarter of Saudis did not consume the recommended healthy food such as fruits and vegetables, and also quarter of them consumed a lot of unhealthy foods and drinks including French fries, donuts, and energy drinks. In addition to unhealthy diet, smoking is also a risk factor for T2D.…”

“…In Saudi Arabia, there is a lack of community services such as public gardens, recreation, and sport centers within the neighborhoods. Sidawi et al (2014) carried out a survey on 76 Saudi patients with T2D; underscored that majority of respondents who had diabetes earlier were complaining from the far distance of fitness centers compared to those who had diabetes later. Additionally, badly designed public gardens and sport centers force Saudi with T2D to experience drowsiness and have difficulties in roaming to and within these centers and parks particularly during the severe hot weather that lasts nearly six months ( Sidawi et al, 2014 ).…”