Exploring the Contributory Factors Toward Childhood Obesity and Being Overweight in Saudi Arabia and the Gulf States

Abstract

Introduction: Saudi schoolchildren are 15.5% and 6% overweight and obese, respectively. Social dynamics contributing to being overweight or obese are not well explored. Purpose: Exploration of social interaction between parents, children, and society, which may influence feeding activities. Methodology: Grounded theory with embedded quantitative measures used a sample of 20 mothers of overweight or obese children in well-child clinics. Mothers discussed eating practices and completed an inventory providing food intake data, consumption patterns, and child height and weight. Results: Core category: against the tide. Main emerging categories: fun food, the way we do things, my voice, knowing how, emotional pegs, and family first. Quantitative data highlighted possible sources of excessive calories and consumption patterns. Discussion: Normative change, alteration of patterns of social interaction, and empowerment of the mother’s role to promote prevention of child overweight and obesity may assist in addressing overweight and obesity among children in this group.