Nearly Half of Saudi Nationals Overweight, GASTAT Report Reveals

Riyadh, November 20 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) – Over 45% of adults in Saudi Arabia are classified as overweight, according to the Health Determinants Statistics Publication for 2024 released by the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT). The report highlights growing concerns about obesity and dietary habits in the Kingdom.

Key Findings

Adult Obesity and Overweight Rates: Among Saudis aged 15 and older, 23.1% are classified as obese, while 45.1% fall into the overweight category.
Childhood Obesity: The prevalence of obesity among children aged 2 to 14 stands at 14.6%, with 33.3% of children in the same age group categorized as overweight.

Dietary Habits

The report also sheds light on dietary practices:

Only 10.2% of adults meet the recommended daily intake of fruits and vegetables (five servings or more).
A significant 84.8% consume between one and four servings daily, while 5% report no fruit or vegetable intake.

Data Sources and Implications

The findings are based on self-reported data, the National Health Survey, and the Woman and Child Health Survey for 2024, coupled with population estimates by GASTAT. The publication provides a snapshot of the nation’s health status and reflects the government’s commitment to monitoring public health and addressing critical health challenges.

A Call to Action

The high rates of obesity and inadequate dietary habits underline the need for enhanced public health initiatives. Experts suggest promoting awareness about healthy lifestyles, increasing access to nutritious food options, and implementing community programs to encourage physical activity and balanced diets.

The findings come as Saudi Arabia pursues ambitious goals under Vision 2030, emphasizing the importance of improving public health and well-being across all age groups.