Post on 12-Apr-2022
Report cardSaudi Arabia
1
Contents Page
Obesity prevalence 2
Trend: % Adults living with obesity, 1989-2019 4
Overweight/obesity by education 6
Overweight/obesity by age 8
Overweight/obesity by region 10
Overweight/obesity by socio-economic group 13
Insufficient physical activity 15
Estimated per capita fruit intake 18
Estimated per-capita processed meat intake 19
Estimated per capita whole grains intake 20
Mental health - depression disorders 21
Mental health - anxiety disorders 22
Oesophageal cancer 23
Breast cancer 25
Colorectal cancer 26
Pancreatic cancer 28
Gallbladder cancer 30
Kidney cancer 32
Cancer of the uterus 34
Raised blood pressure 35
Raised cholesterol 38
Raised fasting blood glucose 41
Diabetes prevalence 43
Health systems 44
Obesity prevalence
Adults, 2019
Adults Men Women0
10
20
30
40
50
60
Obesity Overweight
%
Survey type: Measured
Age: 18+
Sample size: 7890
Area covered: National
References: 2019 Kingdom of Saudi Arabia World Health Survey. https://www.moh.gov.sa/en/Ministry/Statistics/Population-
Health-Indicators/Documents/World-Health-Survey-Saudi-Arabia.pdf (Accessed 16.11.2021)
Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m².
2
Children, 2018-2019
Children Boys Girls0
2
4
6
8
10
Obesity Overweight
%
Survey type: Measured
Age: 6-14
Sample size: 444259
Area covered: National
References: Al Daajani, Manal M., Dina M. Al-Habib, Mona H. Ibrahim, Nora A. Al Shewear, Yahya M. Fagihi, Abrar A. Alzaher, Amjad
F. Alfaleh, and Khaled I. Alabdulkareem 2021. "Prevalence of Health Problems Targeted by the National School-Based
Screening Program among Primary School Students in Saudi Arabia, 2019" Healthcare 9, no. 10: 1310.
https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare9101310
Definitions: BMI data were plotted on Saudi’s sexâ��specific percentile charts and categorized into four groups: underweight (less than
5th percentile); normal weight (between 5th percentile and 85th percentile); overweight (between 85th and 95th
percentile); and obesity (more than 95th percentile)
Cutoffs: Other
3
% Adults living with obesity, 1989-2019
Men
1990 1995 2000 2005 2010 2015 20200
5
10
15
20
25
Obesity
% o
besi
ty
Survey type: Measured
References: 1989: Osman AK, Al-Nozha MM. Risk factors of coronary artery disease in different regions of Saudi Arabia. Eastern
Mediterranean health Journal;6:465-474
2013: Saudi Health Interview Survey (SHIS)
2019: 2019 Kingdom of Saudi Arabia World Health Survey. https://www.moh.gov.sa/en/Ministry/Statistics/Population-
Health-Indicators/Documents/World-Health-Survey-Saudi-Arabia.pdf (Accessed 16.11.2021)
Different methodologies may have been used to collect this data and so data from different surveys may not be strictly comparable. Please
check with original data sources for methodologies used.
4
Women
1990 1995 2000 2005 2010 2015 20200
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
Obesity
% o
besi
ty
Survey type: Measured
References: 1989: Osman AK, Al-Nozha MM. Risk factors of coronary artery disease in different regions of Saudi Arabia. Eastern
Mediterranean health Journal;6:465-474
2013: Saudi Health Interview Survey (SHIS)
2019: 2019 Kingdom of Saudi Arabia World Health Survey. https://www.moh.gov.sa/en/Ministry/Statistics/Population-
Health-Indicators/Documents/World-Health-Survey-Saudi-Arabia.pdf (Accessed 16.11.2021)
Different methodologies may have been used to collect this data and so data from different surveys may not be strictly comparable. Please
check with original data sources for methodologies used.
5
Overweight/obesity by education
Adults, 2019
No formal education Less than secondary school Secondary school More than secondary school0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
Obesity Overweight
%
Survey type: Measured
Age: 18+
Sample size: 7890
Area covered: National
References: 2019 Kingdom of Saudi Arabia World Health Survey. https://www.moh.gov.sa/en/Ministry/Statistics/Population-
Health-Indicators/Documents/World-Health-Survey-Saudi-Arabia.pdf (Accessed 16.11.2021)
Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m².
6
Children, 2006
IlliteratePrimary
Intermediate School
High school
University (Bachelors Degree)
Higher Education (MA or PhD Degree)
0
10
20
30
40
Obesity Overweight
%
Survey type: Measured
Age: 6-16
Sample size: 1243
Area covered: Riyadh
References: Al Alwan İ, Al Fattani A, Longford N. The Effect of Parental Socioeconomic Class on Children’s Body Mass
Indices. Journal of Clinical Research in Pediatric Endocrinology. 2013;5(2):110-115. doi:10.4274/Jcrpe.898.
Notes: Prevalence of overweight and obesity by Fathers Education Obesity and overweight were defined using the WHO
2007 growth standards.
Cutoffs: WHO
7
Overweight/obesity by age
Adults, 2019
Age 18-29 Age 30-44 Age 45-59 Age 60-69 Age 70-79 Age 80+0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
Obesity Overweight
%
Survey type: Measured
Sample size: 7890
Area covered: National
References: 2019 Kingdom of Saudi Arabia World Health Survey. https://www.moh.gov.sa/en/Ministry/Statistics/Population-
Health-Indicators/Documents/World-Health-Survey-Saudi-Arabia.pdf (Accessed 16.11.2021)
Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m².
8
Children, 2006
Age 2-4 Age 5-9 Age 10-13 Age 14-180
10
20
30
40
50
Obesity Overweight
%
Survey type: Measured
Sample size: 7056
Area covered: Eastern Province
References: Al-Dossary SS, Sarkis PE, Hassan A, Ezz El Regal M, Fouda AE. Obesity in Saudi children: a dangerous reality. East
Mediterr Health J. 2010 Sep;16(9):1003-8.
Notes: This study used the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) 2000 growth charts to define BMI. The children
were classified into 3 weight categories: normal weight (BMI < 85th percentile for age and sex), overweight(BMI
between 85th–95th percentiles) and obese (BMI > 95th percentile).
Cutoffs: CDC
9
Overweight/obesity by region
Adults, 2019
Rural Urban0
10
20
30
40
50
60
Obesity Overweight
%
Survey type: Measured
Age: 18+
Sample size: 7890
Area covered: National
References: 2019 Kingdom of Saudi Arabia World Health Survey. https://www.moh.gov.sa/en/Ministry/Statistics/Population-
Health-Indicators/Documents/World-Health-Survey-Saudi-Arabia.pdf (Accessed 16.11.2021)
Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m².
10
Boys, 2009-2010
Al-Kohbar Jeddah Riyadh0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
45
Obesity Overweight
%
Survey type: Measured
Age: 14-19
Sample size: 2,908
Area covered: National
References: Al-Hazzaa, Abahussain, Al-Sobayel, Qahwaji, Alsulaiman, and Musaiger. 2014. Prevalence of Overweight, Obesity, and
Abdominal Obesity among Urban Saudi Adolescents: Gender and Regional Variations. J Health Popul Nutr. 32(4). pp.
634-645.
Notes: IOTF cut-offs used.
Cutoffs: IOTF
11
Girls, 2009-2010
Al-Kohbar Jeddah Riyadh0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
Obesity Overweight
%
Survey type: Measured
Age: 14-19
Sample size: 2,908
Area covered: National
References: Al-Hazzaa, Abahussain, Al-Sobayel, Qahwaji, Alsulaiman, and Musaiger. 2014. Prevalence of Overweight, Obesity, and
Abdominal Obesity among Urban Saudi Adolescents: Gender and Regional Variations. J Health Popul Nutr. 32(4). pp.
634-645.
Notes: IOTF cut-offs used.
Cutoffs: IOTF
12
Overweight/obesity by socio-economic group
Adults, 2019
Lowest quintile Second Middle Fourth Highest quintile0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
Obesity Overweight
%
Survey type: Measured
Age: 18+
Sample size: 7890
Area covered: National
References: 2019 Kingdom of Saudi Arabia World Health Survey. https://www.moh.gov.sa/en/Ministry/Statistics/Population-
Health-Indicators/Documents/World-Health-Survey-Saudi-Arabia.pdf (Accessed 16.11.2021)
Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m².
13
Children, 2006
Less than 3000 3000-4999 5000-6999 7000-9999 10000-14999 15000-19999 20000+0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
45
Obesity Overweight
%
Survey type: Measured
Age: 6-16
Sample size: 1243
Area covered: Riyadh
References: Al Alwan İ, Al Fattani A, Longford N. The Effect of Parental Socioeconomic Class on Children’s Body Mass
Indices. Journal of Clinical Research in Pediatric Endocrinology. 2013;5(2):110-115. doi:10.4274/Jcrpe.898.
Notes: Prevalence of overweight and obesity by Income (Saudi Riyal/Month). Obesity and overweight were defined using the
WHO 2007 growth standards.
Cutoffs: WHO
14
Insufficient physical activity
Adults, 2016
Jordan Morocco Tunisia Egypt Oman Iran Pakistan Lebanon Libya Qatar UAE Iraq Saudi Arabia Kuwait0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
% in
suffi
cien
t phy
sica
l act
ivity
References: Guthold R, Stevens GA, Riley LM, Bull FC. Worldwide trends in insufficient physical activity from 2001 to 2016: a pooled
analysis of 358 population-based surveys with 1.9 million participants. Lancet 2018 http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S2214-
109X(18)30357-7
15
Men, 2016
JordanMorocco
Iran EgyptPakistan
TunisiaOman
LibyaQatar
UAEIraq Lebanon
Saudi Arabia
Kuwait
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
% in
suffi
cien
t phy
sica
l act
ivity
References: Guthold R, Stevens GA, Riley LM, Bull FC. Worldwide trends in insufficient physical activity from 2001 to 2016: a pooled
analysis of 358 population-based surveys with 1.9 million participants. Lancet 2018 http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S2214-
109X(18)30357-7
16
Women, 2016
Jordan Morocco Lebanon Tunisia Egypt Oman Libya Pakistan Iran Qatar UAE Iraq Saudi Arabia Kuwait0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
% in
suffi
cien
t phy
sica
l act
ivity
References: Guthold R, Stevens GA, Riley LM, Bull FC. Worldwide trends in insufficient physical activity from 2001 to 2016: a pooled
analysis of 358 population-based surveys with 1.9 million participants. Lancet 2018 http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S2214-
109X(18)30357-7
17
Estimated per capita fruit intake
Adults, 2017
DjiboutiSomalia
Afghanistan
PakistanIraq Yemen
South Sudan
SudanPalestine
SyriaJordan
LibyaKuwait
Saudi Arabia
TunisiaUAE
LebanonEgypt
MoroccoBahrain
Iran QatarOman
0
50
100
150
200
250
g/da
y
Survey type: Measured
Age: 25+
References: Global Burden of Disease, the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation http://ghdx.healthdata.org/
Definitions: Estimated per-capita fruit intake (g/day)
18
Estimated per-capita processed meat intake
Adults, 2017
Afghanistan
YemenSomalia
Palestine
SudanSyria
JordanLibya
TunisiaMorocco
Iraq LebanonIran South Sudan
Saudi Arabia
DjiboutiEgypt
PakistanOman
BahrainUAE
KuwaitQatar
0
0.5
1
1.5
2
2.5
g/da
y
Survey type: Measured
Age: 25+
References: Global Burden of Disease, the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation http://ghdx.healthdata.org/
Definitions: Estimated per-capita processed meat intake (g per day)
19
Estimated per capita whole grains intake
Adults, 2017
MoroccoLebanon
Afghanistan
Iran YemenJordan
PakistanSudan
SyriaTunisia
LibyaPalestine
BahrainIraq Qatar
UAEDjibouti
Saudi Arabia
KuwaitSomalia
OmanEgypt
South Sudan
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
g/da
y
Survey type: Measured
Age: 25+
References: Global Burden of Disease, the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation http://ghdx.healthdata.org/
Definitions: Estimated per-capita whole grains intake (g/day)
20
Mental health - depression disorders
Adults, 2015
Afghanistan
EgyptSudan
YemenIraq Syria
JordanSomalia
PakistanSouth Sudan
LibyaMorocco
Saudi Arabia
LebanonOman
BahrainIran Tunisia
KuwaitDjibouti
QatarUAE
0
1
2
3
4
5
% o
f pop
ulat
ion
References: Prevalence data from Global Burden of Disease study 2015 (http://ghdx.healthdata.org) published in: Depression and
Other Common Mental Disorders: Global Health Estimates. Geneva:World Health Organization; 2017. Licence: CC BY-
NC-SA 3.0 IGO.
Definitions: % of population with depression disorders
21
Mental health - anxiety disorders
Adults, 2015
SomaliaSouth Sudan
DjiboutiPakistan
Afghanistan
OmanSudan
UAEYemen
EgyptQatar
BahrainJordan
Saudi Arabia
SyriaIraq Libya
MoroccoIran Kuwait
TunisiaLebanon
0
1
2
3
4
5
% o
f pop
ulat
ion
References: Prevalence data from Global Burden of Disease study 2015 (http://ghdx.healthdata.org) published in: Depression and
Other Common Mental Disorders: Global Health Estimates. Geneva:World Health Organization; 2017. Licence: CC BY-
NC-SA 3.0 IGO.
Definitions: % of population with anxiety disorders
22
Oesophageal cancer
Men, 2018
LebanonPalestine
Iraq OmanSyria
TunisiaJordan
BahrainQatar
Saudi Arabia
LibyaMorocco
UAEEgypt
KuwaitDjibouti
SudanYemen
PakistanIran Somalia
South Sudan
Afghanistan
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
Inci
denc
e pe
r 100
,000
Age: 20+
References: Global Cancer Observatory, Cancer incidence rates http://gco.iarc.fr/ (last accessed 30th June 2020)
Definitions: Estimated age-standardized incidence rates (World) in 2018, oesophagus, adults ages 20+. ASR (World) per
100,000
23
Women, 2018
LibyaPalestine
LebanonSyria
TunisiaIraq Jordan
MoroccoEgypt
Saudi Arabia
BahrainUAE
KuwaitOman
QatarDjibouti
PakistanSudan
Iran South Sudan
YemenAfghanistan
Somalia
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
Inci
denc
e pe
r 100
,000
Age: 20+
References: Global Cancer Observatory, Cancer incidence rates http://gco.iarc.fr/ (last accessed 30th June 2020)
Definitions: Estimated age-standardized incidence rates (World) in 2018, oesophagus, adults ages 20+. ASR (World) per
100,000
24
Breast cancer
Women, 2018
LibyaYemen
Saudi Arabia
Afghanistan
Iran TunisiaSouth Sudan
OmanIraq Sudan
DjiboutiSomalia
QatarPakistan
BahrainMorocco
EgyptUAE
KuwaitPalestine
JordanSyria
Lebanon
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
160
Inci
denc
e pe
r 100
,000
Age: 20+
References: Global Cancer Observatory, Cancer incidence rates http://gco.iarc.fr/ (last accessed 30th June 2020)
Definitions: Estimated age-standardized incidence rates (World) in 2018, breast, females, ages 20+. ASR (World) per
100,000
25
Colorectal cancer
Men, 2018
PakistanAfghanistan
DjiboutiSudan
EgyptIraq South Sudan
SomaliaYemen
OmanMorocco
KuwaitLibya
TunisiaQatar
BahrainSyria
Iran UAEJordan
Saudi Arabia
LebanonPalestine
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
Inci
denc
e pe
r 100
,000
Age: 20+
References: Global Cancer Observatory, Cancer incidence rates http://gco.iarc.fr/ (last accessed 30th June 2020)
Definitions: Estimated age-standardized incidence rates (World) in 2018, colorectum, adults, ages 20+. ASR (World) per
100,000
26
Women, 2018
Afghanistan
PakistanSudan
Iraq DjiboutiEgypt
South Sudan
SomaliaYemen
OmanMorocco
Saudi Arabia
TunisiaIran Bahrain
LibyaUAE
QatarKuwait
SyriaPalestine
JordanLebanon
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
Inci
denc
e pe
r 100
,000
Age: 20+
References: Global Cancer Observatory, Cancer incidence rates http://gco.iarc.fr/ (last accessed 30th June 2020)
Definitions: Estimated age-standardized incidence rates (World) in 2018, colorectum, adults, ages 20+. ASR (World) per
100,000
27
Pancreatic cancer
Men, 2018
DjiboutiSudan
PakistanSomalia
Afghanistan
QatarSouth Sudan
UAEYemen
Saudi Arabia
MoroccoIraq Tunisia
KuwaitIran Oman
BahrainSyria
Palestine
LebanonEgypt
JordanLibya
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
Inci
denc
e pe
r 100
,000
Age: 20+
References: Global Cancer Observatory, Cancer incidence rates http://gco.iarc.fr/ (last accessed 30th June 2020)
Definitions: Estimated age-standardized incidence rates (World) in 2018, pancreas, adults, ages 20+. ASR (World) per
100,000
28
Women, 2018
PakistanDjibouti
Afghanistan
SudanSaudi Arabia
SomaliaMorocco
TunisiaSouth Sudan
Iraq YemenOman
JordanSyria
Iran EgyptLebanon
BahrainPalestine
LibyaQatar
KuwaitUAE
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
Inci
denc
e pe
r 100
,000
Age: 20+
References: Global Cancer Observatory, Cancer incidence rates http://gco.iarc.fr/ (last accessed 30th June 2020)
Definitions: Estimated age-standardized incidence rates (World) in 2018, pancreas, adults, ages 20+. ASR (World) per
100,000
29
Gallbladder cancer
Men, 2018
DjiboutiYemen
SudanSouth Sudan
SomaliaAfghanistan
MoroccoIraq Egypt
Iran BahrainSaudi Arabia
PakistanLebanon
LibyaSyria
KuwaitTunisia
Palestine
QatarJordan
OmanUAE
0
1
2
3
4
5
Inci
denc
e pe
r 100
,000
Age: 20+
References: Global Cancer Observatory, Cancer incidence rates http://gco.iarc.fr/ (last accessed 30th June 2020)
Definitions: Estimated age-standardized incidence rates (World) in 2018, gallbladder, adults, ages 20+. ASR (World) per
100,000
30
Women, 2018
YemenDjibouti
EgyptIran Oman
South Sudan
SudanSaudi Arabia
SomaliaBahrain
MoroccoAfghanistan
Iraq KuwaitPalestine
LebanonSyria
TunisiaJordan
QatarPakistan
LibyaUAE
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
Inci
denc
e pe
r 100
,000
Age: 20+
References: Global Cancer Observatory, Cancer incidence rates http://gco.iarc.fr/ (last accessed 30th June 2020)
Definitions: Estimated age-standardized incidence rates (World) in 2018, gallbladder, adults, ages 20+. ASR (World) per
100,000
31
Kidney cancer
Men, 2018
YemenSouth Sudan
DjiboutiSomalia
SudanPakistan
Afghanistan
MoroccoBahrain
OmanQatar
TunisiaIraq Kuwait
EgyptIran Saudi Arabia
UAEJordan
SyriaLibya
Palestine
Lebanon
0
2
4
6
8
10
Inci
denc
e pe
r 100
,000
Age: 20+
References: Global Cancer Observatory, Cancer incidence rates http://gco.iarc.fr/ (last accessed 30th June 2020)
Definitions: Estimated age-standardized incidence rates (World) in 2018, kidney, adults, ages 20+. ASR (World) per 100,000
32
Women, 2018
YemenSouth Sudan
BahrainMorocco
SudanPakistan
Afghanistan
SomaliaDjibouti
EgyptIraq Oman
KuwaitTunisia
LibyaIran Syria
Saudi Arabia
JordanLebanon
Palestine
QatarUAE
0
1
2
3
4
5
Inci
denc
e pe
r 100
,000
Age: 20+
References: Global Cancer Observatory, Cancer incidence rates http://gco.iarc.fr/ (last accessed 30th June 2020)
Definitions: Estimated age-standardized incidence rates (World) in 2018, kidney, adults, ages 20+. ASR (World) per 100,000
33
Cancer of the uterus
Women, 2018
YemenIraq Egypt
Iran Palestine
Saudi Arabia
JordanKuwait
SyriaBahrain
QatarTunisia
LebanonOman
UAEAfghanistan
PakistanSudan
LibyaDjibouti
MoroccoSomalia
South Sudan
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
45
Inci
denc
e pe
r 100
,000
Age: 20+
References: Global Cancer Observatory, Cancer incidence rates http://gco.iarc.fr/ (last accessed 30th June 2020)
Definitions: Estimated age-standardized incidence rates (World) in 2018, cervix uteri, females, ages 20+. ASR (World) per
100,000
34
Raised blood pressure
Adults, 2015
Iran LebanonJordan
UAEBahrain
QatarTunisia
Saudi Arabia
KuwaitLibya
SyriaOman
EgyptIraq Morocco
DjiboutiPakistan
Afghanistan
YemenSomalia
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
% ra
ised
blo
od p
ress
ure
References: Global Health Observatory data repository, World Health Organisation,
http://apps.who.int/gho/data/node.main.A875?lang=en
Definitions: Age Standardised estimated % Raised blood pressure 2015 (SBP>=140 OR DBP>=90).
35
Men, 2015
Iran UAEBahrain
QatarJordan
LebanonTunisia
Saudi Arabia
EgyptSyria
LibyaKuwait
Iraq OmanMorocco
DjiboutiYemen
Afghanistan
PakistanSomalia
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
% ra
ised
blo
od p
ress
ure
References: Global Health Observatory data repository, World Health Organisation,
http://apps.who.int/gho/data/node.main.A875?lang=en
Definitions: Age Standardised estimated % Raised blood pressure 2015 (SBP>=140 OR DBP>=90).
36
Women, 2015
LebanonUAE
JordanIran Bahrain
QatarKuwait
Saudi Arabia
LibyaOman
TunisiaSyria
Iraq EgyptDjibouti
MoroccoPakistan
Afghanistan
YemenSomalia
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
% ra
ised
blo
od p
ress
ure
References: Global Health Observatory data repository, World Health Organisation,
http://apps.who.int/gho/data/node.main.A875?lang=en
Definitions: Age Standardised estimated % Raised blood pressure 2015 (SBP>=140 OR DBP>=90).
37
Raised cholesterol
Adults, 2008
Afghanistan
SomaliaPakistan
YemenSudan
LibyaDjibouti
MoroccoSaudi Arabia
EgyptSyria
TunisiaIraq Lebanon
JordanOman
BahrainIran Kuwait
QatarUAE
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
% ra
ised
cho
lest
erol
References: Global Health Observatory data repository, World Health Organisation,
http://apps.who.int/gho/data/node.main.A885
Definitions: % Raised total cholesterol (>= 5.0 mmol/L) (age-standardized estimate).
38
Men, 2008
Afghanistan
SomaliaPakistan
YemenSudan
EgyptLibya
MoroccoSaudi Arabia
DjiboutiTunisia
SyriaLebanon
Iraq JordanOman
Iran BahrainKuwait
QatarUAE
0
10
20
30
40
50
% ra
ised
cho
lest
erol
References: Global Health Observatory data repository, World Health Organisation,
http://apps.who.int/gho/data/node.main.A885
Definitions: % Raised total cholesterol (>= 5.0 mmol/L) (age-standardized estimate).
39
Women, 2008
Afghanistan
SomaliaPakistan
SudanYemen
DjiboutiLibya
MoroccoSaudi Arabia
SyriaTunisia
Iraq EgyptLebanon
JordanOman
BahrainKuwait
QatarIran UAE
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
% ra
ised
cho
lest
erol
References: Global Health Observatory data repository, World Health Organisation,
http://apps.who.int/gho/data/node.main.A885
Definitions: % Raised total cholesterol (>= 5.0 mmol/L) (age-standardized estimate).
40
Raised fasting blood glucose
Men, 2014
SomaliaDjibouti
SudanYemen
BahrainPakistan
Afghanistan
LebanonOman
Iran TunisiaMorocco
SyriaUAE
LibyaSaudi Arabia
JordanIraq Qatar
KuwaitEgypt
0
5
10
15
20
% ra
ised
fast
ing
bloo
d gl
ucos
e
References: Global Health Observatory data repository, World Health Organisation,
http://apps.who.int/gho/data/node.main.A869?lang=en
Definitions: Age Standardised % raised fasting blood glucose (>= 7.0 mmol/L or on medication).
41
Women, 2014
SomaliaSudan
DjiboutiIran Afghanistan
BahrainTunisia
PakistanYemen
MoroccoSyria
OmanLebanon
UAELibya
EgyptJordan
Iraq Saudi Arabia
QatarKuwait
0
5
10
15
20
% ra
ised
fast
ing
bloo
d gl
ucos
e
References: Global Health Observatory data repository, World Health Organisation,
http://apps.who.int/gho/data/node.main.A869?lang=en
Definitions: Age Standardised % raised fasting blood glucose (>= 7.0 mmol/L or on medication).
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Diabetes prevalence
Adults, 2021
YemenSomalia
South Sudan
DjiboutiLebanon
LibyaIran Morocco
TunisiaIraq Afghanistan
BahrainOman
SyriaJordan
UAESaudi Arabia
SudanQatar
EgyptKuwait
Pakistan
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
% d
iabe
tes
prev
alen
ce
Age: 20-79
Area covered: National
References: Reproduced with kind permission International Diabetes Federation. IDF Diabetes Atlas, 10th edn. Brussels,
Belgium:International Diabetes Federation, 2021. http://www.diabetesatlas.org
Definitions: Age-adjusted comparative prevalence of diabetes, %
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Health systems
Economic classification: High Income
Health systems summary
Saudi Arabia has a national health care system that is provided and financed by the Ministry of Health. Full and free at point of service care is available to all citizens (as well as expats working within the public sector), with services provided for at primary, secondary and tertiary level. Free healthcare is also provided to the approximately 2 million pilgrims visiting the holy cities (Mecca & Medina), putting an immense strain on the healthcare budget. This public system also struggles with staffing, with most health professionals being expatriates.
To complement the national system, there is cooperative health insurance provided by private employers and the government (for public workers only). This is compulsory for all working non-Saudi nationals and Saudi nationals who work in the private sector. Citizens also have the choice to have private health insurance schemes to enter the private healthcare system.
Indicators
Where is the country’s government in the journey towards defining ‘Obesity as a disease’? Defined as disease
Where is the country’s healthcare provider in the journey towards defining ‘Obesity as a
disease’?
Some progress
Is there specialist training available dedicated to the training of health professionals to
prevent, diagnose, treat and manage obesity?
Yes
Have any taxes or subsidies been put in place to protect/assist/inform the population around
obesity?
Yes
Are there adequate numbers of trained health professionals in specialties relevant to obesity
in urban areas?
Some progress
Are there adequate numbers of trained health professionals in specialties relevant to obesity
in rural areas?
No
Are there any obesity-specific recommendations or guidelines published for adults? Yes
Are there any obesity-specific recommendations or guidelines published for children? Yes
In practice, how is obesity treatment largely funded? Out of pocket
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Perceived barriers to treatment
Lack of political will, interest and action
Lack of treatment facilities
Lack of training for HCP's and lack of
trained HCP's
Lack of treatment guidelines or pathway
Poor availability of pharmaceuticals
Cultural norms and traditions
Lack of knowledge of potential treatment
options
Lack of opportunity for physical activity
Summary of stakeholder feedback
Stakeholders reported that a lot of work has been done around obesity prevention and control in recent years, with obesity being recognised as a disease by many.
There is said to be a range of treatment options available that are government funded. Demand, however, is high in the public sector and so many of those seeking treatment obtain support via the private system as an out of pocket expense. Demand in the public system is said to be so high that people only get treatment when they have comorbidities, and even then, it is on a case by case basis. Bariatric surgery and obesity medication is also covered by the cooperative health insurance for those that meet the criteria (BMI ≥ 45 kg/m² for surgery) but this is a recent change.
It was generally agreed that one of the main ways in which people enter the system is via referral when they have comorbidities and their obesity is affecting their health. However, treatments are more readily available in urban areas, with patients in rural areas commonly referred to the cities.
Stakeholders noted that government and association guidelines exist but suggested that these are not yet fully implemented within the health system and at times they did not match insurance criteria. For example, government guidelines recommended surgical intervention for those with a BMI ≥ 35 kg/m² with comorbidities, but cooperative health insurance only covers surgery when BMI ≥ 45 kg/m².
It was reported that there is limited specialist obesity training available. There appears to be a focus on bariatric surgery, with trainees funded to train. Away from this, there is one bariatric surgery fellowship program and a bariatric medicine fellowship programme, but they are both located in Riyadh. Stakeholders called for more training that encouraged multidisciplinary working.
Based on interviews/survey returns from 6 stakeholders
Last updated: June 2020
PDF created on April 11, 2022
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