In Saudi Arabia, physical activity has come under scrutiny with recent findings highlighting disparities between different demographics. According to a 2024 bulletin from the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT), expatriates exhibit higher levels of physical activity compared to Saudi nationals. The study reveals that 62.5 percent of non-Saudis are physically active compared to 54.1 percent of Saudis.

This data comes at a time when the Kingdom is focused on improving health outcomes and confronting lifestyle-related health issues among its population. A significant revelation in the bulletin is that 58.5 percent of individuals aged 18 and above participate in at least 150 minutes of physical activity each week. However, only 18.7 percent of children and adolescents between 5 to 17 meet the World Health Organization's recommended daily physical activity levels of 60 minutes.

Exploring further into the details, it is evident that men in Saudi Arabia are more active than women, with participation rates standing at 23.2 percent and 14 percent, respectively. This gender disparity poses significant implications for policymakers aiming to promote equitable health across all segments of the population. The research indicates that adults between the ages 30 and 39 are predominantly more active, with 62.6 percent meeting the recommended weekly physical activity guidelines. In contrast, physical activity levels dip considerably to 12.2 percent among those aged 80 and above, highlighting the increasing sedentary lifestyles that come with age.

The emphasis placed on physical activity within the expatriate community signifies a cultural divide that presents both challenges and opportunities for public health initiatives. According to GASTAT, walking or cycling for commuting purposes is the predominant form of activity among adults, followed by leisure activities and work-related physical efforts. The bulletin also highlighted the regional variations in activity levels, with Al-Baha region exhibiting the highest engagement among children and teenagers at 30.4 percent, opposed to the capital Riyadh which recorded the lowest at 14.7 percent. This illustrates the significant regional disparities within the Kingdom that may be influenced by a variety of social and environmental factors.

While the statistics provide insight into current trends, they also present a roadmap for action. The bulletin is based on data collated from the National Health Survey and complemented by population estimates from GASTAT. It underscores the necessity for more targeted health interventions that cater to diverse populations within Saudi Arabia, especially in promoting active lifestyles among children and closing the gender gap in physical activity.

These statistics open up important discussions on how Saudi Arabia can further ameliorate physical activity levels across its population, ensuring health equity between Saudis and expatriates, men and women, as well as adults and children. By leveraging this data, policymakers and educators can develop more inclusive strategies that resonate with various cultural backgrounds within the Kingdom. Furthermore, these findings could potentially guide infrastructure developments and societal programs aimed at encouraging active lifestyles, thereby contributing to the broader goals of improved public health outcomes in Saudi Arabia.