Background: Obesity rates among Saudi adolescents are increasing, with regional variations highlighting the need for tailored interventions. School-based health programs in Saudi Arabia are limited and often emphasize weight and body size, potentially exacerbating body image dissatisfaction. There is limited knowledge on the feasibility of non–weight-centric educational programs in Saudi Arabia and their effects on health behaviors and body image. Objectives: This study aimed to (1) assess the prevalence of obesity using BMI-for-age z score (BAZ) and fat percentage among Saudi adolescents; (2) evaluate key health behaviors, cardiovascular fitness, and health literacy; and (3) assess the feasibility and impact of a low-intensity, non–weight-centric educational intervention designed to improve knowledge of macronutrients and metabolic diseases, while examining its safety on body image discrepancies. Methods: A quasi-experimental, pre-post trial with a parallel, nonequivalent control group design was conducted among 95 adolescents (58 boys and 37 girls; mean age 16.18, SD 0.53 years) from 2 public high schools in Medina City, Saudi Arabia. Participants were randomly assigned to either the weight-neutral Macronutrient + Non-Communicable Diseases Health Education group or the weight-neutral Macronutrient Health Education group. Anthropometry (BAZ and fat percentage), cardiovascular fitness, physical activity, and eating behaviors were measured at baseline. Independent t tests and χ² tests were conducted to compare group differences, and a 2-way mixed ANOVA was used to evaluate the effect of the intervention on macronutrient knowledge and body image discrepancies. A total of 69 participants completed the postintervention assessments. Results: The prevalence of overweight and obesity based on BAZ was 37.9% (36/95), while 50.5% (48/95) of participants were classified as overfat or obese based on fat percentage. Students with normal weight status were significantly more likely to have had prior exposure to health education related to metabolic diseases than students with higher weight status (P=.02). The intervention significantly improved macronutrient-metabolic knowledge (F_1,64=23.452; P<.001), with a large effect size (partial η²=0.268). There was no significant change in students’ body image from pre- to postintervention (P=.70), supporting the safety of these weight-neutral programs. The intervention demonstrated strong feasibility, with a recruitment rate of 82.6% and a retention rate of 72.6%. Conclusions: This study reveals a high prevalence of obesity among Saudi adolescents, particularly when measured using fat percentage. The significant improvement in knowledge and the nonimpact on body image suggest that a non–weight-centric intervention can foster better health outcomes without exacerbating body image dissatisfaction. Region-specific strategies that prioritize metabolic health and macronutrient education over weight-centric messaging should be considered to address both obesity and body image concerns in adolescents.

Background: Girls in Saudi Arabian public schools have only recently (since September 2017) begun to receive physical education (PE) lessons. The aim of this study was to assess the health-related physical fitness components among the first cohort of Saudi female PE teachers. Design and methods: Thirty-nine female PE teachers (mean ± SD, age, 22.9 ± 0.83 years; body mass, 58.4 ± 10.6 kg; height, 159.2 ± 5.4 cm) took part in this study. Cardiopulmonary fitness was determined using the Queen’s College Step Test to estimate maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max). Using a bioelectrical impedance analyzer, body fat percentage (%) was determined, and a hand grip dynamometer was used to test hand grip strength. Finally, the sit and reach test was used to determine flexibility. Results: The mean (± SD) of VO2max was 42.5 ± 5.7 (ml.kg.min). The mean (± SD) body fat percentage, hand grip strength, and flexibility were 32.9 ± 8.9 (%), 21.0 ± 4.3 (kg), and 14.5 ± 4.3 (cm), respectively. Conclusions: The study concluded that hand grip strength was lower while body fat percentage was higher among Saudi female PE teachers than their international counterparts, as reported in the literature. Weight loss intervention comprising physical activity (PA) and dietary modification is recommended for Saudi female PE teachers, and resistance training aimed at enhancing muscular strength should be the main component of fitness programs.

Background: Lower urinary tract dysfunction (LUTD) is caused by neurogenic factors that could lead to permanent injury in affected patients, and therefore result in substantial annual healthcare expenses. LUTD is very prevalent in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients and has a drastic impact on their quality of life (QOL). This study aimed to assess the effect of LUTD on the QOL of Saudi MS patients. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out in Saudi Arabia using a self-administered questionnaire that included the World Health Organization Quality of Life (WHOQOL-BREF) and LURN Symptom Index (LURN SI-29). Data were analyzed and presented as frequencies and percentages. Results: There were 428 patients who participated in this study; 270 were females and 158 were males. Most of the patients received a low score in all sections of the LURN part of the questionnaire. The highest scores (urgent need to urinate and excessive urination at night) were recorded in the urgency domain (47.20 ± 36.88) rather than the nocturia domain (44.74 ± 32.91). Meanwhile, the lowest score (complete control of bladder) was recorded in the incontinence domain (22.80 ± 26.80). For the WHOQOL-BREF score, the highest score (more social stability) was in the social domain (65.07 ± 21.16 for females, 60.41 ± 21.54 for males), and the lowest score (less psychological stability) was in the psychological domain (46.36 ± 9.84 for females, 46.20 ± 10.03 for males). However, there was no significant association between the four domains of the WHOQOL-BREF and the gender of the MS patients. Conclusions: LUTD is significantly associated with a lowered quality of life. Therefore, patients are recommended to consult with and be evaluated by appropriately experienced healthcare providers and clinicians. This ensures that the patients receive the best advice, accurate and effective treatment, and long-term analysis that can lead to an improvement in their quality of life.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate sedentary behavior (SB) among Saudi soccer players. Ninety-six soccer players (age 17.0 ± 1.0 years; body mass, 60.5 ± 9.3 kg; height, 168.0 ± 6.6 cm) participated in this study. A self-reported questionnaire was used to assess SB (time spent watching television, Electronic games, and internet use). The mean total screen time among the soccer players was 304.6 min/day. Seventy-nine per cent of soccer players spent > 2 h/day in screened-based SB. Use of electronic games use was the predominant SB among soccer players (128.4 ± 114.9 min/day), followed by time spent watching TV (114.3 ± 92.2 min/day). Average sleep duration of soccer players during weekdays and weekends were 7.3 ± 1.4 and 7.7 ± 1.6 h/night, respectively. Approximately 27% of soccer players had insufficient sleep (< 7 h/night) during the week and 20% of them had insufficient sleep at the weekends. SB was evident in this group of Saudi soccer players, and more than a quarter of studied soccer players had insufficient sleep. The effect of prolonged SB and insufficient sleep duration may impair health and the performance of soccer players.

This study aimed to measure health-related physical fitness components (cardiorespiratory fitness, body fat, muscle strength, flexibility) among adolescent school boys in Madinah, western Saudi Arabia. The participants comprised 36 male students who performed a maximal multistage 20-m shuttle run test to estimate maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max). Body fat percentage (BF%) was determined using the bioelectrical impedance scale; hand grip strength was measured using a hand grip dynamometer; and flexibility was determined using the sit and reach test. The results of the health-related physical fitness tests reveal that the mean (± SD) value of estimated VO2max was 41.1 ± 6.9 (ml.kg.min). The mean (± SD) values of BF%, right-hand grip strength, left-hand grip strength, and flexibility were 18.7 ± 8.6 (%), 33.3 ± 5.6 (kg), 32.8 ± 5.7 (kg), and 15.8 ± 3.9 (cm), respectively. With the exception of flexibility, we conclude that it is necessary to improve health-related physical fitness components, particularly muscle strength, among Saudi adolescent school boys in Madinah city.

One of the most highly physiologically demanding combat sports is judo, which requires an excellent level of physical fitness to be successful in international competitions. Although the physical and physiological characteristics of high-ranked judo athletes are well established, the characteristics of Saudi judo athletes have not been determined. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the physiological profiles of Saudi elite judo athletes. Fourteen judo athletes (mean ± standard deviation (SD) for age, 17 ± 4 years; body mass, 66.7 ± 21 kg; height, 160.2 ± 13.6 cm) performed a special judo fitness test (SJFT). Body fat percentage (BF%) was determined using the bioelectrical impedance scale. Handgrip strength was measured using a handgrip dynamometer, and flexibility was determined by using a sit-and-reach test. The mean ± SD of the index of the SJFT was 16.2 ± 1.6. The means ± SD of BF%, handgrip strength, and flexibility were 24.1 ± 7.2 (%), 31.4 ± 11.5 (kg), and 34.6 ± 6.7 (cm), respectively. We concluded that the SJFT performance and handgrip strength were lower, and BF% was higher in Saudi judo athletes compared to international elite judo athletes.