Saudi Arabia as a country with advanced nutrition transition is undergoing epidemiological and demographic transition, because of moderate level of under nutrition and high levels of overweight 30.7%and obesity 28.7%, so Saudi MOH launched a guidelines for healthy eating so this study objectives to measure the prevalence of healthy food (HF) eating and its context, study use of health social and MOH applications, and the effect of SFDA food related polices.
Methodology
A descriptive cross section study on Saudis who fulfil the selections criteria from all over 20 health regions in KSA weighted according to the total population number. A pre tested, well structured, and self-administrated questionnaire was used to collect data. Data was analyzed through the (SPSS .23) by using the suitable tests with level of significance is (P ≤ .05.
Results
Out of the studied 590 participants, 50.2% of them were males with mean age (35.6 ± 10.52). 43.22% of the participants did not meet the MOH recommendation in any food group while only 1.53% consume the recommended amounts of all food groups. 47.8% of the participants do not perform any physical activity except daily activities only (PA) while only 5.8% perform Vigorous physical activity. The mean of total healthy eating practices score is 12.87 ± 4.04. Total unhealthy eating practices score median is 14 (0-24). The study population spend more money on unhealthy food than healthy food. 34.7% of participants prefer healthy food, 18.8% prefer unhealthy food, and 46.45% prefer both. More than 50% of the participants admitted using mobile phone applications and social media in a way affect their food choices. Most of the participant do not know about or use MOH calories guide and calculator. The effects of obligatory calories labeling in restaurants and cafes are limited.
Conclusion
Most of the Saudis do not comply to the national dietary guidelines' recommendations, physically inactive, and use mobile phone applications and social media in a way that affect their food choices. Most of the Saudis are not familiar with MOH calories guide and calculator. More than half of Saudis have noted the application of obligatory calories labeling and displayed a minor change in food choices and spending on ready food but still the effect of this policy on body weight need longer time to be visible.