Researchers studied 353 healthcare workers in Saudi Arabia to understand how diet, exercise, and weight affect how happy and healthy they feel. They found that people who exercise regularly reported better quality of life, especially in their relationships with others. Interestingly, while people at a healthy weight did feel slightly better overall, the difference wasn’t big enough to be certain it was real. The study suggests that getting regular physical activity might be the most important thing healthcare workers can do to improve their wellbeing, and it also tends to help them eat better too.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: How eating habits, exercise, and body weight affect the overall happiness and health of doctors, nurses, and other hospital workers
  • Who participated: 353 healthcare workers at a major hospital in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. About half were at a healthy weight, 45% were overweight or obese, and a small group were underweight
  • Key finding: People who exercised regularly felt better overall, especially in their relationships with friends and family. These active people also tended to eat healthier foods. Surprisingly, while people at healthy weights felt slightly better, the difference wasn’t strong enough to be statistically certain
  • What it means for you: If you work in healthcare, adding regular exercise to your routine might help you feel happier and healthier at work and improve your social life. This benefit appears to happen partly because exercise also encourages better eating habits. However, this is one study in one location, so talk to your doctor before making major changes

The Research Details

This was a cross-sectional study, which means researchers took a snapshot in time of 353 healthcare workers and asked them about their habits and how they felt. The researchers conducted face-to-face interviews where they asked participants about their diet using a quick screening tool, their physical activity using a standard questionnaire, and their quality of life using a World Health Organization tool designed to measure wellbeing across different areas of life.

The researchers collected information on weight and height to calculate BMI (body mass index), which is a measure of whether someone is at a healthy weight. They then looked for patterns—did people who exercised more also feel better? Did diet quality connect to happiness? Did weight matter?

This type of study is useful for finding connections between things, but it can’t prove that one thing causes another. For example, it shows that exercise and better quality of life go together, but it doesn’t prove that exercise causes the better quality of life.

Cross-sectional studies are good for identifying patterns in real-world populations. This approach was important because it looked at actual healthcare workers in their real environment rather than in a controlled lab setting. By studying healthcare professionals specifically, the researchers could understand the unique pressures and challenges this group faces. The face-to-face interviews also allowed researchers to collect detailed information and ensure participants understood the study

This study has some strengths: it included a decent-sized group of 353 people, used established tools to measure diet and quality of life, and was published in a reputable journal. However, it was conducted in one hospital in Saudi Arabia, so the results might not apply everywhere. The study shows connections between things but can’t prove cause-and-effect. Also, people might not always remember or accurately report their eating and exercise habits

What the Results Show

The most important finding was that healthcare workers who exercised regularly reported better quality of life overall, and this was especially true for their social relationships and friendships (the difference was statistically significant with p = 0.037, meaning there’s only about a 3.7% chance this happened by random luck).

Another key finding was that people who exercised regularly also ate healthier foods. This connection was statistically significant (p = 0.002), suggesting it’s very unlikely to be due to chance. This makes sense because people who care about their health often improve multiple healthy habits at the same time.

Regarding weight, about 47.6% of the healthcare workers were at a normal healthy weight, 44.7% were overweight or obese, and 7.6% were underweight. While those at normal weight did have slightly higher quality of life scores across all areas measured, these differences were not statistically significant. This means the researchers couldn’t be confident the differences were real rather than due to chance.

Interestingly, diet quality didn’t differ between men and women (p = 0.677), meaning both genders reported similar eating habits on average.

The study found that regular physical activity was connected to better eating habits across multiple measures of diet quality. This suggests that exercise and healthy eating often go together as part of an overall healthy lifestyle. The researchers also measured quality of life across different areas: physical health, mental health, social relationships, and environment. While exercise showed the strongest connection to better quality of life, the benefits appeared across multiple areas, not just one

This study fits with what other research has shown: exercise is really good for overall wellbeing and quality of life. Many previous studies have found that physical activity improves mood, social connections, and overall happiness. The finding that exercise and healthy eating go together also matches what researchers have seen before—people who start exercising often naturally begin eating better. However, this study adds new information by looking specifically at healthcare workers, who face unique stress and demanding schedules that might affect their health differently than the general population

This study was done at one hospital in Saudi Arabia, so the results might not apply to healthcare workers in other countries or cultures with different lifestyles and food options. The study only looked at one point in time, so we don’t know if these patterns stay the same over months or years. People were asked to remember and report their own eating and exercise habits, which might not be completely accurate. The study shows that exercise and quality of life are connected, but it can’t prove that exercise causes better quality of life—there could be other explanations. Finally, the study didn’t look at other important factors like sleep, stress levels, or mental health conditions that might affect quality of life

The Bottom Line

Healthcare workers should aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate exercise per week (like brisk walking) or 75 minutes of vigorous exercise (like running), as recommended by health organizations. This appears to have moderate confidence based on this study plus existing research. Combining exercise with efforts to eat more fruits, vegetables, and whole grains may provide additional benefits. These recommendations should be personalized—talk to your doctor about what’s right for your specific situation, especially if you have any health conditions

This research is most relevant to healthcare workers like doctors, nurses, and hospital staff who often work long hours and may struggle to maintain healthy habits. However, the findings likely apply to many people in demanding jobs. If you’re overweight or underweight, don’t assume this study means you can’t improve your quality of life—the weight differences weren’t statistically significant, and exercise benefits everyone. If you have health conditions, joint problems, or other concerns, check with your doctor before starting a new exercise program

You might notice improvements in mood and social connections within 2-4 weeks of starting regular exercise, though some people feel better even sooner. More significant improvements in overall quality of life typically take 8-12 weeks of consistent activity. Better eating habits often develop naturally within a few weeks once you start exercising regularly. Remember that these are general timelines—everyone’s body responds differently

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track weekly exercise minutes and rate your mood/social satisfaction on a 1-10 scale each week. Look for patterns between weeks when you exercise more and weeks when you feel better socially and emotionally
  • Set a specific, achievable exercise goal (like 30 minutes of walking 5 days per week) and log each session in the app. When you complete workouts, also note what you ate that day to build awareness of how exercise naturally leads to better food choices
  • Every two weeks, review your exercise consistency and quality of life ratings. If you’re exercising regularly but not seeing improvements, check if other factors like sleep or stress might be affecting your wellbeing. Share trends with your healthcare provider to get personalized guidance

This research describes associations found in one study of healthcare workers in Saudi Arabia and should not be considered medical advice. Individual results vary based on many factors including age, existing health conditions, medications, and genetics. Before starting any new exercise program or making significant dietary changes, consult with your healthcare provider, especially if you have chronic health conditions, joint problems, or take medications. This study cannot prove that exercise causes better quality of life, only that they are connected. The findings may not apply to all populations or healthcare settings. Always seek personalized medical guidance from qualified healthcare professionals for your specific situation.