Prevalence of Obesity and Uric Acid and Their Relationship among Saudi Adults in Makkah Region
Zayed M. Altowerqi *
Faculty of Education, Physical Education Department, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah, Saudi Arabia. and Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, School of Education, University Technology Malaysia, Johor Bahru, Malaysia.
Zainal Abidin Bin Zainuddin
Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, School of Education, University Technology Malaysia, Johor Bahru, Malaysia.
Badr Ahmed Fallatah
Faculty of Education, Physical Education Department, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah, Saudi Arabia.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
This research aims to determine the prevalence of obesity and uric acid among male adults in Makkah region as well as the association between obesity and uric acid level among Makkah adults as a whole. Twenty-six (26) male adults aged between 26 and 60 years participated in this study. Height, weight and blood samples were collected by the researcher. The study results showed 38.5% of participants were overweight and 38.5% were obese. Another significant finding was 57.7% of participants had high uric acid (≥ 7 mg/dL). In regards to the relationship between body mass index (BMI) and uric acid (UA), this study reported a positive non-significant correlation between BMI and UA, indicating that increased BMI correlated with increased UA levels. Therefore, adhoc intervention programs dedicated to reducing obesity and uric acid should be initiated in Makkah region to reduce risk.
Keywords: Obesity, body mass index, uric acid, Makkah, Saudi Arabia.