Perception of body weight and self-reported eating and exercise behaviour among obese and non-obese women in Saudi Arabia

Abstract

A case control study was conducted to examine the theorized differences for eating and exercise behaviour among the obese and non-obese women from an urban health center in Saudi Arabia. Perceptions regarding actual and ideal body size were also determined. The obese were significantly more likely to eat under emotional conditions of stress and anger, in secrecy, and indulge in binge eating (P < 0.05). Frequent snacking and drinking of regular soda drinks was also more common in this group compared to the controls (P < 0.05). A weak association was observed for nibbling at food without being aware and preference of sweet foods compared to savoury ones by the obese (P < 0.1). A large group of the study population (75%) were either not exercising at all or doing so infrequently--a feature expected in the middle and lower social class group of women in this region. A sizable proportion of women either overestimated (28.6%) or underestimated (28.9%) their actual body weight with increasing education significantly related to overestimation of weight and vice versa (P < 0.05). A change in the concept of an ideal body image from the overweight female to that of the slim figure was also observed with advancing education. To control and prevent obesity in this region, it is suggested that health education related to an awareness of a healthy body size and appropriate eating and exercise behaviour should be given through primary health centers, other health facilities and schools.

PIP: To facilitate the design of weight control programs in Saudi Arabia, where female obesity is widespread, eating and exercise behaviors and perceptions of ideal body weight were compared in 74 obese and 70 nonobese women (mean age, 29 years) recruited from a primary health care clinic in Al-Khobar. Questionnaire items on eating antecedents indicated that excessive eating was often a response to negative emotions or boredom, suggesting a need for stress management and relaxation training in weight control programs. Obese women were less likely than their nonobese counterparts to eat at fixed times during the day. Although obese women were more likely to skip main meals in an attempt to lose weight, this resulted in extensive snacking on sweet foods. 75% of women were not exercising at all or infrequently. 29% of women of normal weight and 28.1% of mildly or moderately obese women overestimated their actual weight category. On the other hand, 36.8% of mildly/moderately obese women and 23.5% of severely obese women considered themselves to be of normal weight. Overall, 30.6% of study participants designated "a little overweight" as the ideal female body size. Women with higher educational attainment (and thus, exposure to Western concepts of beauty) were more likely to favor slimness as an ideal. The adoption of healthy eating and exercise patterns early in life through school-based programs would represent a major step in the prevention of female obesity in Saudi Arabia.