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2000
Volume 21, Issue 8
  • ISSN: 1573-4013
  • E-ISSN: 2212-3881

Abstract

The current study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of the Ketogenic diet (KD) in the Eastern Province community of Saudi Arabia.

Background

Over the last decade, KD has gained popularity due to its positive health effects. For many years, research has associated the intake of saturated fats with the increased risk of obesity and cardiovascular illness. Recent research has found favorable positive effects of saturated fat consumption, stimulating this investigation into the community's adoption of KD.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted among the residents of Eastern Province, Saudi Arabia, using an online survey disseminated through social media platforms from 1 February to 30 April 2023. Data was collected Google Forms, analyzed using Microsoft Excel Version 2021, and then exported into SPSS, version 23.0.

Results

Out of 1048 participants, 307 (29.29%) of the respondents reported following the KD. About half of the participants (50.81%) followed it to reduce weight, based on success stories of friends (43.64%) and utilizing social media as information. 31.92% of the participants experienced better physical health, and 76.87% incorporated regular exercise while following a ketogenic diet. It was found to be prevalent among participants in the age category of 31- 40 years. Two-thirds of the participants following the keto diet were university graduates; 44% were obese, one-fifth were diabetic, and one-fifth were hypertensive. However, very few (12.07%) consulted nutritionists to prepare meals.

Conclusion

Based on the present results, it is suggested that the keto diet is well adapted to the community of the Eastern province. Only one-fourth of the participants followed the keto diet under medical guidance, highlighting the importance of promoting professional guidance.

© 2025 Bentham Science Publishers
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2025-10-31

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Prevalence of Ketogenic Diet Use in the Community of Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia
Curr. Nutr. Food Sci. 21, 910 (2025); https://doi.org/10.2174/0115734013347798250414030732
/content/journals/cnf/10.2174/0115734013347798250414030732
/content/journals/cnf/10.2174/0115734013347798250414030732
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  • Article Type:     Research Article
Keyword(s): fat consumption; KD; medical guidance; nutritionists; Prevalence; social media

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