Physical activity policies in the six Gulf Cooperation Council countries: a qualitative study with document analysis
Background The Gulf states have some of the lowest physical activity levels and some of the highest obesity rates globally. Understanding physical activity policies is important but under-researched in this region.Purpose To analyse physical activity policies in terms of structures, formulation, imp...
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| Language: | English |
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BMJ Publishing Group
2025-04-01
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| Series: | BMJ Global Health |
| Online Access: | https://gh.bmj.com/content/10/4/e017627.full |
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| author | Klaus Gebel Adrian Bauman Peter Gelius Anne Grunseit Ali Ahmed Alzahrani |
| author_facet | Klaus Gebel Adrian Bauman Peter Gelius Anne Grunseit Ali Ahmed Alzahrani |
| author_sort | Klaus Gebel |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background The Gulf states have some of the lowest physical activity levels and some of the highest obesity rates globally. Understanding physical activity policies is important but under-researched in this region.Purpose To analyse physical activity policies in terms of structures, formulation, implementation and evaluation in the six Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member countries (Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates (UAE)).Methods We systematically searched the websites of the Ministries of Health, Education, Sport, Transport, Tourism and Municipal Affairs of the GCC countries between March 2023 and February 2024 for documents related to physical activity policy. Experts from Saudi Arabia, Oman and Bahrain were consulted to identify unpublished documents. Desk research questions from the Health-Enhancing Physical Activity Policy Audit Tool were used to evaluate the content of these documents in terms of the policy cycle model.Results We identified 39 policy documents from the six countries. Comparative analysis revealed centralised governance across GCC nations, except for the UAE’s federal monarchy system. Policy formulation typically involves collaboration among health, sports and education ministries, although responsibilities vary. There were no sedentary behaviour reduction policies. Policy implementation lacks funding, especially for marginalised groups such as individuals with disabilities and immigrants. Evaluation lacks economic assessment.Conclusions Our study revealed a lack of implementation of physical activity policies and a general dearth of policies aimed at reducing sedentary behaviour within the GCC. Enhancing transparency, inclusion and evaluation mechanisms are essential for fostering effective physical activity policies in GCC countries.Practical implications Our study provides impetus for policy-makers in the Gulf region to develop policies addressing sedentary behaviour and improving the evaluation framework. Additionally, it serves as a foundation for researchers to identify and address gaps in future policy analysis, contributing to the advancement of effective strategies for promoting physical activity. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-ac862a548ee34fe0a91e1bbec1e1b29f |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2059-7908 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-04-01 |
| publisher | BMJ Publishing Group |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMJ Global Health |
| spelling | doaj-art-ac862a548ee34fe0a91e1bbec1e1b29f2025-08-20T03:05:43ZengBMJ Publishing GroupBMJ Global Health2059-79082025-04-0110410.1136/bmjgh-2024-017627Physical activity policies in the six Gulf Cooperation Council countries: a qualitative study with document analysisKlaus Gebel0Adrian Bauman1Peter Gelius2Anne Grunseit3Ali Ahmed Alzahrani4School of Public Health, Faculty of Health, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, New South Wales, AustraliaSchool of Public Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, AustraliaInstitute of Sport Sciences, Faculty of Social and Political Sciences, Université de Lausanne, Lausanne, SwitzerlandSchool of Public Health, Faculty of Health, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, New South Wales, AustraliaSchool of Public Health, Faculty of Health, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, New South Wales, AustraliaBackground The Gulf states have some of the lowest physical activity levels and some of the highest obesity rates globally. Understanding physical activity policies is important but under-researched in this region.Purpose To analyse physical activity policies in terms of structures, formulation, implementation and evaluation in the six Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member countries (Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates (UAE)).Methods We systematically searched the websites of the Ministries of Health, Education, Sport, Transport, Tourism and Municipal Affairs of the GCC countries between March 2023 and February 2024 for documents related to physical activity policy. Experts from Saudi Arabia, Oman and Bahrain were consulted to identify unpublished documents. Desk research questions from the Health-Enhancing Physical Activity Policy Audit Tool were used to evaluate the content of these documents in terms of the policy cycle model.Results We identified 39 policy documents from the six countries. Comparative analysis revealed centralised governance across GCC nations, except for the UAE’s federal monarchy system. Policy formulation typically involves collaboration among health, sports and education ministries, although responsibilities vary. There were no sedentary behaviour reduction policies. Policy implementation lacks funding, especially for marginalised groups such as individuals with disabilities and immigrants. Evaluation lacks economic assessment.Conclusions Our study revealed a lack of implementation of physical activity policies and a general dearth of policies aimed at reducing sedentary behaviour within the GCC. Enhancing transparency, inclusion and evaluation mechanisms are essential for fostering effective physical activity policies in GCC countries.Practical implications Our study provides impetus for policy-makers in the Gulf region to develop policies addressing sedentary behaviour and improving the evaluation framework. Additionally, it serves as a foundation for researchers to identify and address gaps in future policy analysis, contributing to the advancement of effective strategies for promoting physical activity.https://gh.bmj.com/content/10/4/e017627.full |
| spellingShingle | Klaus Gebel Adrian Bauman Peter Gelius Anne Grunseit Ali Ahmed Alzahrani Physical activity policies in the six Gulf Cooperation Council countries: a qualitative study with document analysis BMJ Global Health |
| title | Physical activity policies in the six Gulf Cooperation Council countries: a qualitative study with document analysis |
| title_full | Physical activity policies in the six Gulf Cooperation Council countries: a qualitative study with document analysis |
| title_fullStr | Physical activity policies in the six Gulf Cooperation Council countries: a qualitative study with document analysis |
| title_full_unstemmed | Physical activity policies in the six Gulf Cooperation Council countries: a qualitative study with document analysis |
| title_short | Physical activity policies in the six Gulf Cooperation Council countries: a qualitative study with document analysis |
| title_sort | physical activity policies in the six gulf cooperation council countries a qualitative study with document analysis |
| url | https://gh.bmj.com/content/10/4/e017627.full |
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