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Physical activity participation is associated with lower obesity risk in male Saudi adolescents

Physically active male Saudi adolescents had significantly lower BMI (23.64 vs. 30.28 kg/m2), waist circumference (85.46 vs. 97.35 cm), and waist-to-height ratio (0.488 vs. 0.562) compared to inactive peers. Obesity prevalence by IOTF criteria was 17.1% in active vs. 51.9% in inactive, and abdominal obesity was 31.4% vs. 72.2%.

Last updated: Aug 14, 2026•0 RCTs•📖 Read as article →

Evidence Score

Evidence Score48/100
Human RCT☆☆☆☆☆
Meta-analysis☆☆☆☆☆
Mechanism★★★★★
Safety★★★★☆
Confidencelow

Study Evidence

Study 1. Physical activity participation and obesity-related risk behaviors among male Saudi adolescents: a social cognitive theory perspective.

observational

Alaqil AI · Frontiers in public health (2026)

Participants: N/A
Duration: N/A
Intervention: Physical activity participation (self-reported vigorous-intensity activity or structured exercise ≥3 days/week) compared to physical inactivity
Outcome: BMI, waist circumference, waist-to-height ratio, obesity prevalence (IOTF), abdominal obesity (WHtR ≥0.50), screen time, sleep, dietary behaviors
Effect Size: d=1.060 for BMI; d=0.866 for waist circumference; d=0.927 for WHtR
Population: Male Saudi high school students aged 16-17 years in Riyadh (N=124)

Result:

PubMed: 42577115DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2026.1885913

Mechanism Graph

Physical activity increases energy expenditure and improves metabolic health
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Higher activity levels are associated with lower adiposity and central obesity
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Physical activity may influence dietary behaviors (e.g., higher fruit consumption)
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Result: Lower obesity risk in active adolescents

Limitations

  • ⚠Cross-sectional design prevents causal inference
  • ⚠Convenience sampling limits generalizability
  • ⚠Self-reported physical activity and lifestyle behaviors may introduce bias
  • ⚠Only male adolescents were studied, not generalizable to females

Frequently Asked Questions

What was the difference in BMI between physically active and inactive Saudi adolescents?▼

Physically active adolescents had a mean BMI of 23.64 kg/m2 compared to 30.28 kg/m2 in inactive peers, a large effect (d=1.060).

Did screen time and sleep differ between physically active and inactive groups?▼

No significant differences were found in screen time or sleep between groups. Insufficient sleep was prevalent in both groups (84.3% vs. 83.3%).

What dietary behaviors differed between active and inactive adolescents?▼

Of ten dietary behaviors assessed, only fresh fruit consumption was significantly higher among physically active participants (5.44 vs. 4.24 days/week, p=0.006).

What is the study design and sample size?▼

This was a cross-sectional study with 124 male Saudi high school students aged 16-17 years in Riyadh.

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References

  1. 1.Alaqil AI. "Physical activity participation and obesity-related risk behaviors among male Saudi adolescents: a social cognitive theory perspective.." Frontiers in public health, 2026. PMID: 42577115 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2026.1885913
Disclaimer: This content is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Evidence scores reflect the quality and quantity of available research, not clinical recommendations. Always consult a healthcare professional before starting any supplement or intervention.