Special Considerations for the Middle East

Cardiovascular disease accounts for more than 45% of total mortality in the Arabian Peninsula. The rate of physical inactivity in this region remains very high. In the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the central country of the region, the prevalence of physical inactivity has reached a rate of 69%.  The two main barriers to physical exercise in the Middle East region are the hot environment and sociocultural factors. Some obstacles relate to women specifically, as traditionally women are not expected to perform physical activity in public. Thus, it is important to develop adequate strategies to improve the physical activity rate in the Middle East region.