DOHA: On the occasion of National Sport Day (NSD) yesterday Qatar announced it is mulling to issue a law that would ask the eateries to write ingredients and their calorific value on the food they serve.
This is being done as part of a state policy to promote healthy habits among its people as lifestyle diseases like obesity and diabetes are on an alarming rise.
The Minister of Public Health H E Abdullah bin Khaled Al Qahtani (pictured) told reporters his ministry has close coordination with the Supreme Education Council (SEC) that makes sure school canteens sell only healthy food.
Sporting facilities like playgrounds in several government schools are being made accessible to people after school hours so they use them to remain physically fit. Many people are already using them as there is increasing health awareness among people now.
Al Qahtani was speaking to reporters at the Aspire Park where he was taking part in a marathon with Supreme Council of Health (SCH) staffers.
“The NSD will help create awareness about healthy lifestyle among our coming generations,” he said. Qatar is investing so much in National Sport Day by way of declaring it a holiday (which has a cost for it), so it is the duty of citizens to take it seriously.
“Even if one walks, does jogging or some exercise a few minutes a day or once or twice a week or even a month that would suffice.”
Al Qahtani said a law was under study that would make it mandatory for all the eating outlets to display ingredients and their nutrition, as well as the calorific value of the food they serve to promote healthy eating habits among people.
“As a simple way to healthy life, we already are encouraging SCH employees in its headquarters to use stairs instead of the elevator,” said the minister.
This initiative was launched to coincide with the National Sports Day last year and it continues.
Staircases have been decorated with stickers and posters highlighting the importance of physical exercise and the health benefits of climbing steps.
“You are about to burn five times more calories than using the elevators,” reads one poster. Employees can actually calculate how much calories they have burnt while climbing every floor.
The Peninsula
