The Prevalence of Gallstones and Cholecystitis among Obese Individuals in Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study

Both obesity and gallbladder diseases are major health issues that are continuously growing, especially in the developed world. Among the heterogeneous set of causes of gallbladder disease is the formation of gallstones. The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of cholelithiasis and cholecystitis among obese individuals in Saudi Arabia. This study is an observational study conducted using a self-administered questionnaire. The statistics show that 20.2% of the respondents have been diagnosed with obesity, while 7.0% have been diagnosed with gallstones and 5.2% with cholecystitis. The eating habits of respondents were also surveyed, with 7.6% reporting healthy and balanced eating habits, while 41% reported mostly healthy eating habits with occasional indulgences. 43.9% of respondents reported mostly unhealthy eating habits with occasional healthy options, while 7.5% reported unhealthy and unbalanced eating habits. In terms of exercise habits, 31.9% of respondents reported exercising rarely (less than once a week), while 26.4% reported exercising sometimes (1-2 times a week). 17.5% reported exercising regularly (3-5 times a week), while 6.5% reported exercising daily (more than 5 times a week). Finally, 17.8% of respondents reported never exercising. Age had a statistically significant difference in the prevalence of gallstones and cholecystitis among obese individuals. Also, annual income was found to have a significant association. In conclusion, the prevalence of gallstones and cholecystitis among obese individuals in Saudi Arabia is a significant healthcare concern, as there is a significant correlation between being obese and suffering from gallstones and/or cholecystitis.