Physical Inactivity and Sedentary Determinants Among Healthcare Workers in Saudi Arabia

Background Physical inactivity is a major public health issue in Saudi Arabia, and healthcare workers are a key group for assessing risks and guiding workplace interventions to promote active lifestyles. This cross-sectional study aimed to explore determinants of physical activity and sedentary behavior among healthcare workers in the Northern Borders Region of Saudi Arabia. Methods A total of 329 healthcare workers were randomly selected. Anthropometric measurements were obtained, and physical activity levels were assessed using the Past-day Adults' Sedentary Time Questionnaire. Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics version 25. Results Overall, 26.7% of participants were physically inactive, 31.9% engaged in moderate-intensity and 41.3% engaged in vigorous-intensity physical activity. Most participants reported spending extended hours in sedentary activities, especially at work (males: mean = 338.3 minutes, SD = 75.9; females: mean = 324.1 minutes, SD = 85.2), likely due to the occupational demands. A total of 55.9% of participants had a normal weight, while 42.6% were classified as overweight, with higher prevalence among females. The strongest predictor of physical inactivity was sex (odds ratio [OR] = 6.06 (95% CI 3.240-11.333) and followed by BMI category (OR = 5.06 (95% CI 2.900-8.849). None of the examined variables significantly predicted sedentary behavior, possibly due to the homogeneity of sedentary time across this workforce. Conclusion A substantial proportion of participants were overweight and exhibited high sedentary behavior. These findings highlight the need for precision-targeted intervention programs to enhance physical activity levels and address the identified contributing factors among healthcare workers in this region.