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

Zahra Alahmed; Felipe Lobelo

doi:10.1016/j.jegh.2017.10.005

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

J Epidemiol Glob Health. 2018 Mar;7 Suppl 1(Suppl 1):S7-S15. doi: 10.1016/j.jegh.2017.10.005. Epub 2017 Oct 24.

Authors

Zahra Alahmed¹, Felipe Lobelo²

Affiliations

¹ Ministry of Health, Primary Health Centers, Eastern Province, Saudi Arabia. Electronic address: Zahraa.alahmed@gmail.com.
² Hubert Department of Global Health, Rollins School of Public Health Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia; Exercise Is Medicine Global Research and Collaboration Center, Rollins School of Public Health Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia.

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.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Directive Counseling*
Exercise*
Health Promotion*
Humans
Physician's Role*
Primary Health Care*
Saudi Arabia