Assessment of Physical Inactivity and Barriers to Physical Activity Among the General Population in the Jazan Region of Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background Lack of physical activity is a growing public health concern in Saudi Arabia, contributing to an increase in noncommunicable diseases. However, there is limited research on physical activity patterns and their associated factors in the Jazan region. Objective This study aimed to assess physical activity levels and identify sociodemographic, health-related, and environmental factors associated with physical activity among individuals in the Jazan region of Saudi Arabia. Methods This cross-sectional survey was conducted in Jazan. Physical activity was assessed using the abridged Arabic form of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). Data on sociodemographic and health-related characteristics were collected using a self-administered questionnaire. Mann-Whitney U and Kruskal-Wallis tests were used to compare physical activity levels among groups, while Spearman's rank correlation was employed to investigate the relationships between continuous variables and physical activity. Results A total of 387 people completed the survey, 39.0% of whom were female and 61.0% were male. The participants' average age was 34.0 ± 10.1 years, and 98.4% were Saudi nationals. The study found that 42.1% of participants did not engage in high-intensity physical activity, while 39.8% did not engage in moderate-intensity activity. A strong association was found between income level, obesity, diabetes status, and high-intensity physical activity (p < 0.05). Proximity to recreational facilities was associated with moderate-intensity exercise (p = 0.05). Male participants reported walking more frequently than female participants (p = 0.033). Additionally, people with diabetes walked more often than those without (p = 0.018). There was a weak positive correlation between height and the frequency of high-intensity physical activity (r = 0.153, p = 0.022). Conclusion This study highlights the complex interactions between sociodemographic, health-related, and environmental factors that influence physical activity in Jazan. The findings underscore the need for targeted, culturally sensitive interventions to promote physical activity, particularly among women, individuals with obesity, and those with chronic conditions. Urban planning should consider the impact of the built environment on physical activity. Future research should use objective measurements and longitudinal methodologies to better understand these relationships and design effective public health interventions in line with Saudi Vision 2030.