Perceptions Toward Leisure Activities and Prolonged Sitting Among Saudi Adults – A Cross-sectional Community-Based Study

Abstract

Background and Objective: Leisure activities encompass a wide range of recreational pursuits that
individuals engage in during their free time. This study aims to assess the perceptions toward leisure
activities and prolonged sitting among Saudi adults in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Materials and Methods:
A cross-sectional community-based study was conducted among people living in Saudi Arabia to assess the
perception of adults toward leisure activities and prolonged sitting using a total of 25-item questionnaires
divided into four sections on the 5-point Likert scale. Results: Two hundred and one (n = 201) Saudi adults
completed the survey. In this study, 51.2% of the males were participated. With regard to time spent on leisure
activities, such as social media, 28.4% of the respondents spent 30 min, followed by coffee and dessert by
70.6% for 2 h, related activity by 63.2% for >4 h, business-related activity by 30% for <30 min, family time
by 30% for 2 h, and 29.4% spend <30 min watching television. Furthermore, 59.2% of participants believed
that sitting for long periods of time was harmful to their health. Conclusion: Leisure activities and prolonged
sitting have emerged as important topics concerning the health and well-being of Saudi adults. The high
prevalence of sitting time and its associated health risks necessitate the implementation of strategies to
reduce prolonged sitting and increase physical activity levels. By promoting leisure activities and creating a
supportive environment, Saudi adults can be encouraged to adopt a more active lifestyle, leading to improved
overall health and well-being.