Relationship of Body Weight to Altitude in Saudi Arabia

Measurement of weight and height in 451 Saudi nationals ages 17 to 72 years, born and living permanently at high altitude (3150 meters) and Saudi nationals ages 17 to 76 years, born and living permanently at low altitude (500 meters) are reported. The native highlanders were significantly heavier (P<0.005 for men and <0.001 for women) and taller (P<0.001 for both men and women) than lowlanders. Body mass index (BMI=kg/m(2)) was used for assessment of normal weight, overweight or obesity, and underweight or thinness in the two communities. Only 30.8% of all highlanders and 34% of all lowlanders were found to have normal weight. The prevalence of overweight or obesity was significantly greater among highlanders (55.7%) than among lowlanders (42.9%) (P<0.01), while underweight or thinness was significantly more common among lowlanders (23.1%) as compared to highlanders (13.5%) (P<0.01). Among highlanders, overweight or obesity was significantly more common in women than men (P<0.01) while underweight or thinness was more common among men than women, although the difference was not statistically significant. This sex difference in the prevalence of overweight or obesity and underweight or thinness was not apparent among lowlanders. The percentage of overweight or obese highland and lowland men and women increased after the age of 39 years; conversely, the incidence of underweight or thinness in highland and lowland men and women decreased after the age of 39 years. The findings of this study indicate that overweight or obesity and, to a lesser extent, underweight or thinness are major nutritional problems in the two groups studied.