Dr Khalifa Jeham Al Kuwari and Abdulla Al Raisi at the signing ceremony yesterday.
By Fazeena Saleem
DOHA: A new health programme was introduced by Aspire Zone Foundation yesterday to help people improve their lifestyle habits.
The ‘Step Into Health Programme’ is designed to engage the people of Qatar in a self managed lifelong programme based on a moderate amount of daily healthy activity.
The aim of the programme is to walk at least 10,000 steps a day in a non competitive, recreational and social way, and is designed for everyone aged 16 years and up and of all fitness levels. A total of 10,000 steps per day is equivalent to five miles.
“Step into health is not a quick fix solution, it is a lifestyle change. By working the programme into your daily routine, you will find that walking those extra steps as day comes naturally to you,” said Dr Mohammed Ghaith Al Kuwari, Director of Hleathy Lifestyle programme at Aspetar.
Anyone who register via Step into Health website will be provided with information regarding the collection points of the membership package. “Once the individuals are registered online, they will be given a free pedometer to keep count of their daily steps,” said Dr Al Kuwari.
A media campaign for the initiative will begin next week and on January 12 an activity will be held for all registered members.
The new initiative was launched as nearly half of the Qatari population has three out of five of the risk factors that can lead to lifestyle diseases as diabetes.
Obesity is on the rise among the Qatari population with 70 percent overweight, out of whom 41.4 percent are obese, 16.4 percent smoke, 45.9 percent are found to have low physical activity, with women as the most sedentary with 54 percent against 37 percent men, according information issued by the Supreme Council of Health (SCH).
A partnership agreement was also signed yesterday for the program by Aspire Zone Foundation and Commercialbank.
Khalifa Jeham Al Kuwari, CEO Aspetar, and Abdulla Al Raisi, Deputy CEO of Commercialbank Qatar signed the agreement at the Aspire Academy auditorium.
Aspire Zone has walking and running trails, indoor venues and can provide special access to novelty events, such as the recent Torch Doha Hotel Staircase Run. Throughout the programme, Aspire Zone will host a multitude of fun and enjoyable activities for the whole family all over Doha, including the malls and parks and gardens.
Aspire will provide free online assistance to members of the programmes. In addition, the website will provide links to information on healthy eating, upcoming events and activities.
Registered members are eligible to benefit from free health checks, which include measuring Body Mass Index and blood pressure.
The Peninsula
