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.
Highlights
The prevalence of obesity has become a global public health issue
As given in [Table 1], the sample was composed of male employees; 88% Saudi and 12% non-Saudi, randomly selected from different stations of Saudi Aramco, mostly from the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia
While non-Saudis would be about 2.3 times more likely to be obese, employees who grew up in the Eastern Province would be about 1.9 times more likely to be obese than those raised elsewhere in the Kingdom
Summary
The prevalence of obesity has become a global public health issue. Saudi Arabia has become one of the most diseased countries in the world [1]. There are many serious risks attributed to obesity which include a higher risk of diabetes, hypertension, coronary heart disease, and stroke [5, 16]. These medical issues add significant healthcare costs for the government and the employers of these individuals [6]. Research has shown that employers spend 40-60% of their income on employee salaries, in addition to training and development costs [14] These costs can continue to increase if there are cases of lost productivity related to issues of employee health [14]
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