Research
Energy balance
Bariatric surgery in Saudi Arabia achieves an average weight loss of 18% (33.6 kg) at 6 months, with high rates of sleeve gastrectomy and a young patient demographic.
Bariatric surgery in Saudi Arabia is highly effective, with an average 18% body weight loss at 6 months. It is predominantly performed on young women via sleeve gastrectomy.
ModerateSupportsMEDIUM confidence
Average weight loss in kilograms (n = 867 reported, calculated for 6-month postoperative or as close as possible to that time point) was 33.6 kg, and %BWL was 18% (n = 1592).
Why this rating
Based on 10 studies with 1937 surgeries, but no comparator groups.
Source
Prevalence, risk factors, and interventions for obesity in Saudi Arabia: A systematic review
Victoria Salem et al. · Obesity Reviews · 2022
DOI 10.1111/obr.13448
systematic_reviewCited 138×
Read the paper DOI resolved against Crossref · corpus check 2026-06-10
More from this paper
- High levels of physical inactivity and consumption of sugary beverages are primary drivers of obesity prevalence in Saudi Arabia, with inactive individuals showing significantly lower risk reduction compared to active males.Good
- Intensive lifestyle interventions in Saudi Arabia achieve an average weight loss of 4.1%, which is favorable compared to other published interventions but fails to meet the >5% threshold for significant comorbidity risk reduction.Moderate
- GLP-1 analogs are widely used in Saudi Arabia for diabetes management and show some weight loss efficacy, but there is no trial data for their use in obesity-only patients in the country.Limited
Related findings · Energy balance
- Achieving a total body weight loss of 10-15% (or >10-15 kg) through Total Diet Replacement (TDR) induces remission of Type 2 Diabetes in individuals with short-duration disease.Strong
- Bariatric surgery is superior to medical management alone for inducing significant long-term weight loss, remission of type 2 diabetes, and reduction in mortality for patients with BMI ≥ 40 or ≥ 35 with comorbidities.Strong
- Achieving type 2 diabetes remission requires significant weight loss (≥15 kg) via major caloric restriction, independent of macronutrient composition.Strong
This is one finding among thousands. Every one is graded and traced to its source, so you can see what the evidence actually supports. Browse the research →