Abstract
BACKGROUND: Obesity and overweight are major health problems in Saudi Arabia. In response, with reference to studies both local and from abroad, the Saudi Ministry of Health and the Saudi Arabian Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery recently published the "Saudi Guidelines for the Prevention and Management of Obesity." AIMS: We sought to investigate the awareness of and adherence to the "Guidelines" among health care professionals (HCPs) specializing in obesity in Al-Qassim province, Saudi Arabia. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: Al-Qassim province, cross-sectional survey. METHODS AND MATERIALS: In a cross-sectional survey, a three-part questionnaire (i.e., demographic background, information about obesity, and information about the "Guidelines") was distributed among HCPs in Al-Qassim province from January to April 2019. Data analysis was performed in Microsoft Excel. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: Data analysis was performed in Microsoft Excel. RESULTS: Among the 72 HCPs who completed and returned the survey, knowledge of the "Guidelines" was low (40.3%). Most were not even aware of the document's existence (59.7%), and most had not received any training regarding the Saudi obesity control program (55%). CONCLUSIONS: The survey's findings suggest that HCPs in Al-Qassim province have limited knowledge about the "Saudi Guidelines for the Prevention and Management of Obesity" and are mostly unaware of the document's existence. Even so, the overwhelming majority (82.8%) of HCPs who were aware have implemented the "Guidelines" in their clinical practice.