Physical activity promotion in Saudi Arabia: A critical role for clinicians and the health care system

• Authors: Zahra Alahmed, Ministry of Health, Primary Health Centers, Eastern Province, Saudi Arabia; Felipe Lobelo, Emory University
• Journal Title: Journal of Epidemiology and Global Health
• Volume: Volume 7
• Publisher: Atlantis Press | 2018-03-01, Pages S7-S15
• Type of Work: Article | Final Publisher PDF
• Publisher DOI: http://doi.org/10.1016/j.jegh.2017.10.005
• Subjects: Health Sciences, Occupational Health and Safety; Health Sciences, Epidemiology; Health Sciences, Health Care Management; Health Sciences, Public Health
• Keywords: Science & Technology; Life Sciences & Biomedicine; Public, Environmental & Occupational Health; Noncommunicable disease; Fitness; People

Abstract

This work aimed to summarize the benefits of physical activity and the importance of counseling by a physician to promote physical activity in a primary health care setting in Saudi Arabia. Despite established evidence that physical activity is effective for reducing the risk of non-communicable diseases, as well as the importance and cost-effectiveness of physical activity counseling in the primary care setting, few studies have been conducted regarding physical activity counseling in Saudi Arabia.