Objective: To assess the patterns and determinants of physical activity among Saudi adult males living in Riyadh.
Methods: Self-administered questionnaires were filled out by 1333 randomly selected Saudi males 19 years and older, during the Fall of 1996.
Results: Over 53% of Saudi males were totally physically inactive, and another 27.5% were irregularly active. Only 19% of the entire sample were active on a regular basis. A curvilinear relationship was found between age and inactivity, with the middle age group the least active. Physical activity was lower among those who were married, work in the private sectors, working 2 shifts, less educated, or who had only one day off during the week. Time constraint seems to be the major contributing factor to inactivity, while maintaining health and losing weight were the most important reason for being physically active among Saudi males.
Conclusion: The proportion of Saudi males who are at risk for inactivity is very high. Indeed, it is exceedingly higher than those who are at risk for hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, obesity, or cigarette smoking. Public policies are needed to encourage active living and discourage sedentary habits. Health care providers have an important role in promoting physical activity among the population.