Policy, cultural, social, and environmental barriers to physical activity in the southern region of Saudi Arabia
- Publication Type:
- Thesis
- Issue Date:
- 2025
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Physical activity levels in Saudi Arabia remain low, contributing to rising obesity and non-communicable diseases, and underscoring the need for effective promotion strategies. This thesis explores policy, cultural, social, and environmental barriers to physical activity (PA) in the Gulf region, focusing on the southern region of Saudi Arabia. It comprises three interconnected qualitative studies examining PA promotion at policy and community levels. The first study involved interviews with 19 policymakers from Saudi Arabia and Oman, identifying challenges in policy implementation and intersectoral coordination. The second analysed 39 PA policy documents from the six Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, revealing policy inconsistencies and the absence of evaluation mechanisms. The third included interviews with 15 participants from the southern region, exploring how local norms, safety concerns, and social expectations shape PA engagement.
Findings highlight limited collaboration among health, education, municipal, and sports sectors, insufficient funding, and a lack of culturally adapted interventions. Safety concerns, inadequate facilities, and restrictive gender norms were key barriers. The thesis provides insights for policymakers and public health practitioners, emphasising the need for context-specific, multisectoral, and culturally sensitive approaches to enhance PA participation and reduce health disparities in the region.
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