Obesity Among Male Employees at Saudi Aramco: Trends, Factors, and Johns Hopkins Aramco Healthcare Recommendations

Abstract

The purpose of this primary data analysis is to estimate the prevalence of obesity in a specific workplace in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). The information would then be used to predict the prevalence of obesity among the male workforce of Saudi Aramco, the largest oil company in the world. A total of N=1,000 male employees (883Saudis, 117non-Saudis), aged 19-65, participated. They were randomly selected from several male Saudi Aramco stations and were asked to take a survey. Chi-square test was used to measure the significance effect of some independent variables on the BMI status. The overall prevalence was estimated, with a confidence level of 95%, at 22.5±2.6% for obesity, 36.7±3% for overweight, and 1±0.6% for underweight. The figures highly depended on the region where they spent their childhood, their age, nationality, and amount of exercise performed per week. For instance, 27.4±4.2% of those who grew up in the Eastern Province were estimated to be obese (vs. 16.5±3.5% among those raised elsewhere in KSA), and 28.7±5% of those who rarely exercise (less than 1 hour per week) were considered obese (vs. 17.8±4.1% among those who work out for at least 3 hours per week). As a result, a logistic model, involving these factors, was used for future prediction. For example, non-Saudis would be about 2.3 times more likely to be obese, and those aged 30-39 would be about 1.9 times more likely to be obese compared to “under 30” and “50 or more” age groups and 1.7 times more likely to be so than those aged 40-49. In addition, the lowest and highest conditional probabilities of obesity relative to this model were determined (6.6% and 66.4%). As a result, the likeliest male employees to be obese; the non-Saudi ones, raised in the Easter Province, aged 30-39 and exercise very little (less than 1h/w), would actually have more than two chances in three to be obese. Based on relatively concerning figures about obesity in male employees of Saudi Aramco, this paper recommends workplace wellness program model to improve the health of employees and their productivity, by creating an atmosphere of health and care for their well-being.