Pattern of the Use of Anti-Obesity Drugs among Obese Population and their Adherence to Better Lifestyle

Background: Cardiovascular disease, type-2 diabetes, cancer are long-term complications due to obesity. By 2035, the prevalence of overweight and obesity is expected to rise from 38% in 2020 to over 50% globally. It is challenging to reach the best weight or manage the process of long-term weight loss. Therefore, for patients who are overweight, the obesity control guidelines strongly suggest lifestyle changes in addition to medical treatment. Aim: Assessment of anti-obesity medications usage among Saudis and Egyptian obese population and their adherence to better lifestyle (Physical activity & eating healthy foods). Methods: A cross-sectional survey was done among Saudi and Egyptian population for three months (1^st November 2024 to the end of January 2025). Obese and overweight population were interviewed either in obesity clinics, gyms and universities according to a well-designed questionnaire (Face to Face), some participants were online. Data was collected and statistically analyzed using SPSS software (Inc, Chicago, IL, USA, version 25). Results: The total number of participants were 550; 254 (Saudis) and 296 (Egyptians). The mean of age (35±0.74 Saudis vs. 44.5±2.07 Egyptians). About one-third of participants their age ranges from 18-24 years (Saudis) and from 35-44 years (Egyptians). BMI was significantly different at p-value<0.05; obese class-1 was more among Saudis (25.6%) more than Egyptians (14.5%). About 40.9% of Saudi participants used anti-obesity medications vs. 27.4% of Egyptians, while half of Egyptians doing physical activities, eating low diet carbs or Keto (39.2%) and healthy foods (31.1%) more than Saudis (p-value=0.009) to lose weight. Liraglutide or semaglutide was used by Saudis (36.6%) vs. Egyptians (25.9%), while orlistat was used more by Egyptians (44.4%) vs. Saudis (28.8%) (p-value<0.005). The rate of doing exercise from 4-5 days/week, the duration time of exercise among Egyptians (40 or 60 min/day and high intense of exercises was more among Egyptian than Saudi participants which is significantly different at p<0.05. High percentages of Saudi participants did not eat healthy food (low carbs and balanced diets) compared to Egyptians more than Saudis (p-value<0.05). One third of Saudi participants followed eating healthy foods for 1-2months only, while 38.9% (Egyptians) follow ≥12 months (p-value<0.05). Long sleeping period (8-10 hours) was more among Saudis vs. Egyptians (p-value<0.05). Conclusion: This study compared the differences between two Arab nations (Saudi Arabia & Egypt). They have some similarities in their culture and habits, causes, and treatment of obesity. According to the results, among Saudi participants, obesity is mostly due to bad adherence to better lifestyle as sedentary, low levels of physical activities among younger populations, and bad eating habits in both school & college-aged, and adolescents, so, high percentages used anti-obesity medications to lose their weight. While in Egyptian participants, obesity is mostly prevalent among adults than children that was observed through doing more activities during going to their works and schools by walking, cycling, wheeling. Also, most people don't own cars, no sedentary lifestyle and doing many exercises in clubs and they trying to lose their weight by adherence to better lifestyle or by using medications. So, by highlighting the benefit of leading a healthy lifestyle, Saudi government must take this issue seriously to improve physical activity levels, eating healthy food and avoid sedentary behaviour.