Abstract
Objective: The assessment of practices conducted in leisure time and daily life is fundamental to improving lifestyle behavior and community health. The purpose of this study was to examine lifestyle and its correlation with the pattern of leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) among adult Saudis.
Material and Methods: In total, 150 adult Saudis (ages 15-22 years) participated in this study. The participants were personally interviewed to gather information regarding sociodemographics, physical activity (PA) patterns [denoted as metabolic equivalents (METs)] determined using the Global Physical Activity questionnaire (GPAQ), and lifestyle factors (assessed using the Stevan Cordas Stress Questionnaire). Cronbach's coefficient alpha (a), Pearson's r, and Spearman's rho statistics were evaluated to determine the test retest reliability of the stress questionnaire among the participants.
Results: The median total LTPA was 7333 METs-min/week for both genders. Males had a higher LPTA versus females (3945 METs vs. 3387 METs, respectively). Using a cutoff of 600 METs-min/day or 150 min each day for 5 days/week of moderate PA, only 38.0% of participants reported no leisure activity, 62.0% reported high PA, and 72% reported moderate PA. In participants with moderate to high PA, there were correlations between a decrease in body mass index, lifestyle, and an increase in diet and calcium intake (p<0.001). Correlation analysis showed that being a male with moderate PA was related to activity to a greater extent than this relationship in females.
Conclusion: Nearly 38% of the sampled population did not achieve the recommended LTPA level for beneficial health effects. The highly active participants comprised 62% of the total sampled population, and substantially more of these were males (60.0% vs. 2.0% females). These data suggest that Saudi adults should change their lifestyle by increasing food intake and PA to achieve optimal health status.