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Associations of Total, Leisure, Occupational, and Commuting Sedentary Behavior with Overweight/Obesity Among Adults in Saudi Arabia

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Objectives: To examine the associations of total, leisure, occupational, and commuting sedentary behavior (SB) with overweight/obesity among adults in Saudi Arabia and explore whether these associations differ by SB patterns (weekdays vs. weekends) and sex (men vs. women). Methods: This secondary analysis of a web-based, cross-sectional survey included 948 adults living in Saudi Arabia (mean age 29.7 years; 52.1% women; 55.4% with overweight/obesity). Total and domain-specific SB were estimated using the Arabic version of the Sedentary Behavior Questionnaire. Overweight/obesity was assessed using body mass index calculated from self-reported height and weight. Adjusted logistic regression models examined the associations of total and domain-specific SB with the odds of overweight/obesity, with analyses conducted across the week and separately for week-days and weekends and stratified by sex. Results: Higher total and leisure SB across the week and on weekdays were associated with 3.9% to 12.3% higher odds of overweight/obesity, particularly among men (p < 0.05 for all). However, occupational and commuting SB were not associated with the odds of overweight/obesity (p > 0.05 for all). Associations were not statistically significant among women (p > 0.05 for all). Conclusions: These findings highlight the potential importance of considering the domain and temporal pattern of SB, as well as sex, when examining its associations with overweight/obesity among adults in Saudi Arabia. Further longitudinal and intervention studies are needed to establish temporal and causal relationships between the domains of SB and overweight/obesity in this population.

Source: Journal of Clinical Medicine

DOI: 10.3390/jcm15197670

Author: Abdullah Bandar Alansare

Institution: King Saud University

Language: English

Topic: Physical Activity and Health

Subfield: Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,137