Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40180431›Full record

ArticleBMJ global health2025

Physical activity policies in the six Gulf Cooperation Council countries: a qualitative study with document analysis.

Ali Ahmed Alzahrani, Peter Gelius, Anne Grunseit, Adrian Bauman, Klaus Gebel

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Article in BMJ global health, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.

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2citing papers in PubMed
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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

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2 · The registry

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3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

2 citing papers in PubMed.

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4 · The record

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PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

5 authors.

Ali Ahmed AlzahraniSchool of Public Health, Faculty of Health, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, New South Wales, Australia.ORCID http://orcid.org/0009-0002-0746-9074
Peter GeliusInstitute of Sport Sciences, Faculty of Social and Political Sciences, Université de Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-4120-4996
Anne GrunseitSchool of Public Health, Faculty of Health, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, New South Wales, Australia.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-1250-3265
Adrian BaumanSchool of Public Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-0369-4621
Klaus GebelSchool of Public Health, Faculty of Health, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, New South Wales, Australia klaus.gebel@uts.edu.au.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-0330-7756

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundThe Gulf states have some of the lowest physical activity levels and some of the highest obesity rates globally. Understanding physical activity policies is important but under-researched in this region. PURPOSE: To analyse physical activity policies in terms of structures, formulation, implementation and evaluation in the six Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member countries (Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates (UAE)).

methodsWe systematically searched the websites of the Ministries of Health, Education, Sport, Transport, Tourism and Municipal Affairs of the GCC countries between March 2023 and February 2024 for documents related to physical activity policy. Experts from Saudi Arabia, Oman and Bahrain were consulted to identify unpublished documents. Desk research questions from the Health-Enhancing Physical Activity Policy Audit Tool were used to evaluate the content of these documents in terms of the policy cycle model.

resultsWe identified 39 policy documents from the six countries. Comparative analysis revealed centralised governance across GCC nations, except for the UAE's federal monarchy system. Policy formulation typically involves collaboration among health, sports and education ministries, although responsibilities vary. There were no sedentary behaviour reduction policies. Policy implementation lacks funding, especially for marginalised groups such as individuals with disabilities and immigrants. Evaluation lacks economic assessment.

conclusionsOur study revealed a lack of implementation of physical activity policies and a general dearth of policies aimed at reducing sedentary behaviour within the GCC. Enhancing transparency, inclusion and evaluation mechanisms are essential for fostering effective physical activity policies in GCC countries. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: Our study provides impetus for policy-makers in the Gulf region to develop policies addressing sedentary behaviour and improving the evaluation framework. Additionally, it serves as a foundation for researchers to identify and address gaps in future policy analysis, contributing to the advancement of effective strategies for promoting physical activity.

Indexed as

ExerciseHealth PolicyBahrainDocument AnalysisHumansMiddle EastOmanQualitative ResearchUnited Arab EmiratesGlobal HealthHealth education and promotionHealth policyPublic Health

Identifiers

PMID40180431
PMCPMC11969598

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