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. 2022 Jun 3:15:1179-1188.
doi: 10.2147/RMHP.S346206. eCollection 2022.

Gender Differences in the Attitudes and Management of People with Obesity in Saudi Arabia: Data from the ACTION-IO Study

Rasha A Almubark  1 , Saleh Alqahtani  2   3 , Arthur C Isnani  4 , Ali Alqarni  5 , Mahmoud Shams  6 , Moataz Yahia  6 , Assim A Alfadda  4   7   8
Affiliations

Gender Differences in the Attitudes and Management of People with Obesity in Saudi Arabia: Data from the ACTION-IO Study

Rasha A Almubark et al. Risk Manag Healthc Policy. .

Abstract

Purpose: Several studies have investigated gender differences in various obesity-related outcomes. Females were found to have more accurate weight perception and reported more frequency of attempted weight loss. The objective of this study was to assess gender differences in the attitudes and management of people with obesity (PwO) in Saudi Arabia using data from the ACTION-IO study.

Patients and methods: A survey was conducted in Saudi Arabia in June and July 2018 on adults with obesity (based on self-reported body mass index of ≥30 kg/m2).

Results: A total of 1000 people with obesity completed the survey; 565 (56.5%) were male (mean age of 36.9 years and mean BMI of 33.5 kg/m2) and 435 (43.5%) were female (mean age of 36.3 years and mean BMI of 34.5 kg/m2). The two most reported motivations for wanting to lose weight for both groups were to improve appearance (38%) and to have more energy (35%). Females were more likely to trust their health-care provider (HCP) advice about weight management when compared to males (87% females, 82% males, p = 0.059) and were more likely to have concerns regarding long-term safety associated with prescription weight loss medications (65% female versus 59% males, p = 0.043). On the other hand, males were more likely to seek their physician to prescribe weight loss medication if they hear of a new medication (55% males versus 46% females, p = 0.014), and more to believe that there are good options available for weight loss medications (74% males versus 67% females, p = 0.040). Also, more males prefer to take weight loss medications than to have a weight loss surgery (65% males, 59% females, p = 0.054).

Conclusion: Overall, this study increases our understanding on the attitudes of both females and males towards the management of weight loss and opens the discussion for gender-specific weight loss interventions.

Keywords: ACTION-IO; Saudi Arabia; gender; management; obesity.

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Conflict of interest statement

AA Alfadda reports financial support from Novo Nordisk to attend an obesity conference during the conduct of the study, and personal (consultancy) fees and non-financial support from Novo Nordisk outside the submitted work. M Shams and M Yahia are employees of Novo Nordisk. RA Almubark, S Alqahtani, AC Isnani, and Ali Alqarni have no conflicts of interest in this work.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Diagnosed comorbidities of males (N = 565) and females (N = 435) with obesity.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Female and male attitudes towards weight management. This figure shows the percentage of females and male respondents agreeing with statements following the question: “Please indicate how much you agree with the following regarding prescription medications for weight loss.” Females = red; males = blue. For each statement, the number of respondents (n) and percentage (%) are indicated, a total of respondents = 1000.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Female and male attitudes towards weight management in relation with the HCP. Females = red; males = blue. For each statement the number of respondents (n) and percentage (%) are indicated, total of respondents = 1000.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Female and male attitudes regarding weight loss surgery. This figure shows the percentage of females and males’ respondents agreeing with statements following the question: “Please indicate how much you agree with the following regarding weight loss surgery” Females = red; males = blue. For each statement, the number of respondents (n) and percentage (%) are indicated, a total of respondents = 1000.
Figure 5
Figure 5
Goals and motivations concerning weight and health. This figure shows the percentage of females and males respondents in agreement with statements following the question: “Now, we would like to understand your overall goals concerning your weight and health. Please select the top 3 most important goals for you to personally achieve as part of your weight management, if any”. Females = red; males = blue. For each statement, the number of respondents (n) and percentage (%) are indicated, a total of respondents = 1000.
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