Physical activity and major non-communicable diseases among physicians in Central Saudi Arabia

OBJECTIVES To evaluate levels of physical activity among physicians in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia and to study the possible factors affecting physical inactivity. In addition, the study aims to estimate the prevalence of major non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and a possible correlation between physical inactivity and major NCDs.  Method: A cross-sectional approach was used for this study conducted on 370 randomly-selected outpatient physicians of both genders working at 4 leading healthcare institutions in Riyadh, Kindom of Saudi Arabia between December 2013 and January 2014. Using a modified World Health Organization (WHO) STEPwise questionnaire. Data was analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 21. Results: The findings of the present study demonstrated a prevalence of physical activity among Riyadh physicians (63%), which is higher than the general population (32.4%). The main reason for not engaging in physical activity was lack of time (58.1%) followed by work duties (22.5%). The prevalence of the most frequently reported NCDs (cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, chronic respiratory diseases, and cancers) was 21.9%. No significant association between physical inactivity and major NCDs among physicians in our sample was found.  Conclusion: The participating physicians are physically active and suffer from a small percentage of the most reported NCDs. The main factor associated with physical inactivity was lack of time. No association was detected between physical inactivity and major NCDs.