ABSTRACT
This is a review of the changing pattern of chronic diseases among women in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia [KSA]. Data from national surveys conducted in KSA, whose results were published between 1996 and 2011 were used. The results showed that over a period of ten years the prevalence of obesity increased in Saudi women from 23.6% to 44.0% and in men from 14.2% to 26.2%; self-reported physical inactivity worsened in both women [from 84.7% to 98.1%] and men [from 43.3% to 93.9%]; prevalence of smoking in women increased [from 0.9% to 7.6%], while it declined in men [from 21.0% to 18.7%]. The prevalence of metabolic syndrome was significantly greater in women than men [42.0% versus 37.2%; p < 0.01]. In conclusion, Saudi women are potentially at a greater risk than a decade ago to develop cardiovascular diseases and diabetes mellitus, with a notable increase in obesity compared to men