Perceived barriers to physical activity and their predictors among adults in the Central Region in Saudi Arabia: Gender differences and cultural aspects

There is a high prevalence of both internal and external barriers to physical activity among Saudi adults, with notable gender differences influenced by cultural factors. Females were more likely to report cultural and religious reasons as barriers. Tailored policies and interventions are urgently needed to address these barriers, such as promoting gender-specific physical activity programs, integrating physical activity into workplaces, enhancing public facilities, and conducting culturally sensitive educational campaigns. Addressing both internal motivations and external obstacles is essential to increase physical activity levels and combat the rising burden of non-communicable diseases in Saudi Arabia.