Prevalence and Social Determinants of Overweight and Obesity in Adolescents in Saudi Arabia: A Systematic Review

Background: The prevalence of obesity in adolescents is increasing globally at an alarming rate. Objectives: Our aim was to evaluate the prevalence of overweight and obesity (Ow/Ob) in Saudi adolescents and to construct an ecological model of social determinants of Ow/Ob and evaluate current evidence of their effect on Saudi adolescents. Methods: A systematic review of literature reported up to 31/12/2018 on Ow/Ob and factors that can influence them in Saudi adolescents was conducted. Results: Fifty-one studies with n=97,666 adolescents (56.9% males) were reviewed. The prevalence of Ow/Ob started off high and continued to increase over time. Most of the 49 reviewed social determinants reports, from 19 studies, showed positive association between social determinants and Ow/Ob in Saudi adolescents. Conclusion: Adolescents’ Ow/Ob is a major public health problem in Saudi Arabia and is growing. Social determinants play a significant role in this problem and should be considered in all strategies targeting it.M.Sc