OBESITY AMONG FEMALE STUDENTS OF HIGHER EDUCATION IN SAUDI ARABIA: A STUDY IN ALKHARJ GOVERNORATE

Obesity has been one of the growing concerns among the population in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia has been ranked 29th on a 2007 list of the fattest countries with 68.3%(BMI more than 25kg/m2). According to Lancet survey, in 2016, has placedKingdom of Saudi Arabia as the 3rd most obese nation in the world after Malta and Swaziland. It further stated that 70% of Saudi Arabian population is overweight.According to health officials, obesity has been one of the leading causes of preventable deaths in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Obesity is associated with many diseases like hypertension, high triglycerides, diabetes, osteoarthritis, cardio vascular diseases, malignancy etc. With strong macro-economic variables of Saudi Arabia, the Kingdom has witnessed significant changes in quality of life and life style. Changes in dietary intake along with physical inactivity and complexities of life, the risk of obesity has increased exponentially, many of the cases remain untreated. This may be due to lack of awareness of obesity and associated health risks. This trend is more so evident among students category. Not many of the studies related to obesity among students particularly female students in higher education has been conducted in the Kingdom.