title: The Child Obesity Epidemic in Saudi Arabia: A Review of the Literature.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To examine prevalence, nutrition and activity, and overweight and obesity prevention and management in Saudi Arabia.
  
  
  METHODS
  Using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis criteria, PubMed, Web of Science, PyschINFO, Global Health, Family Studies Worldwide, Middle Eastern Studies, and Sociological Abstracts was searched from January 1, 2003 to January 31, 2016. Inclusion criteria included peer-reviewed articles published in Arabic and English that focused on prevalence, overweight or obesity in children 2 to 20 years of age, body mass index percentile, and interventions.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Three themes were identified: epidemiological features, where the eastern region had the highest prevalence of overweight and obesity, risk factors, which included higher parental education, and lifestyle factors, which included increased consumption of calorie-dense food and a sedentary lifestyle.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Childhood obesity is increasing in Saudi Arabia at an alarming rate.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Practitioners need to consider the cultural influences of the increasing obesity epidemic in Saudi Arabia.
authors.affiliation: 1 The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
authors.forename: Sama S
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Hammad
authors.affiliation: 1 The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
authors.forename: Diane C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Berry
keywords: Saudi Arabia; childhood obesity; nutrition; physical activity