Research
Adherence
Physical inactivity is significantly higher among women and girls in Arab countries compared to men and boys, a disparity driven by specific socio-cultural factors.
If you are a woman in an Arab country, you may face unique cultural barriers to exercise. Seek out gender-segregated facilities or female-only fitness programs to overcome these obstacles. Recognize that your inactivity levels may be higher than men's due to social factors, not just personal choice.
GoodSupportsHIGH confidence
Prevalence of inactivity among adults and children/adolescents is high across countries, and is higher among women.
Why this rating
Based on a systematic review of 172 articles and WHO surveys, showing consistent gender disparities.
Source
Physical inactivity, gender and culture in Arab countries: a systematic assessment of the literature
Eman Sharara et al. · BMC Public Health · 2018
DOI 10.1186/s12889-018-5472-z
systematic_reviewCited 289×
Read the paper DOI resolved against Crossref · corpus check 2026-06-10
More from this paper
- Physical inactivity is a major global health risk, ranking as the fourth leading cause of mortality and contributing to 3.2 million deaths annually, primarily through cardiovascular disease, diabetes, hypertension, and certain cancers.Strong
- Physical inactivity in Arab countries is associated with specific socio-demographic factors, including older age, marriage, urban residence, and lower education levels.Good
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