Abstract:
Background: A balanced diet and an active lifestyle are key factors influencing health and quality of life (QoL). This study examined the relationships between eating patterns, physical activity, and QoL in Arab healthcare professionals.
Methodology: This cross-sectional study included 353 healthcare workers in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The WHOQOL-BREF was used to evaluate QoL, and the Rapid Diet Quality Screener assessed dietary habits. The Global Physical Activity Questionnaire was used to assess physical activity. Statistical analyses included independent samples t-tests, one-way ANOVA, and Pearson correlation.
Results: Among the participants, 47.6% had normal weight, 44.7% were overweight or obese, and 7.6% were underweight. While those with normal weight had the highest QoL scores across all domains, the differences across the BMI categories were not statistically significant. Regular physical activity was associated with high QoL, particularly in terms of social relationships (P = 0.037). Participants who exercised regularly also reported healthier dietary habits (P < 0.001). Weak but significant positive correlations were found between diet quality and QoL, particularly physical (r = 0.219, P < 0.001) and psychological health (r =0.184, P = 0.002). No significant differences in diet quality were found between the sexes (P = 0.677).
Conclusion: Healthcare professionals who exercise regularly exhibit a better QoL, especially in terms of social relationships, and maintain healthier eating habits. While normal BMI was associated with improved QoL, the differences across the BMI categories were not statistically significant. These findings highlight the need for interventions that promote physical activity and healthy eating to enhance the QoL of healthcare workers.
