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UAE mulls plan to promote walking, cycling Asma Ali Zain / 25 February 2014 The plan would look into providing residents with more options to walk, cycle, exercise, provide easy access to sports facilities as well as educate them on the health benefits of physical activity. The UAE is working out a national plan to encourage its residents to get physically active, even if for 30 minutes a day. The plan would look into providing residents with more options to walk, cycle, exercise, provide easy access to sports facilities as well as educate them on the health benefits of physical activity in a safe environment. It would also address concerns on urban designs and infrastructure and introduce polices in schools. Also see the eight cycling and walking tracks to come up in Dubai by 2015 Policy makers have said that physical activity is critical for population health. Marking it as a public health priority, they said that lack of physical activity is the fourth leading risk factor for global deaths while at least 219,000 deaths occur annually in the region. Guided by the World Health Organisation (WHO), the UAE, along with other GCC countries, on Monday drew the first draft of a regional policy on physical activity at a high-level forum being held for the first time in the region. The regional draft will help the UAE government chalk out its own policies that, according to the UN General Assembly, should be in place by 2025. The countries have pledged to reduce physical inactivity by at least 10 per cent over the next four years. The UAE is part of a region where statistics show that over 50 per cent of women are physically inactive, an issue that has led to high rates of deaths due to non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as diabetes and heart diseases, discussed experts at the meeting. “We are developing a regional plan that will guide countries to develop their own policies by addressing challenges,” said Dr Ala Alwan, Regional Director of Eastern Mediterrenean Regional Office (Emro). “The main aim of this forum is to raise awareness on physical activity and the need to tackle the issue with participation of the society and other decision makers,” he explained. Different sectors such as urban planning, health, education, employment and transportation have been roped in to develop a comprehensive strategy. “We now need action on behaviour change through awareness raising and skills development,” he added. “Everybody has the right, and should be able to walk freely, and to have leisure sites and sports available and accessible, regardless of age, gender and culture,” said Dr Alwan. “Urban planning sectors should ensure that streets and parks are available for people to walk in and exercise safely. The education sector should ensure that physical education and activity are an integral part of the school curriculum. The transportation system should be easily accessible so that people rely less on their personal cars. Employers should provide employees with the opportunity to exercise at the worksite,” he added, urging governments to focus policies on these key factors. Several countries such as the UK, Australia and the US shared their experiences in implementing the laws that would enable PA. asmaalizain@khaleejtimes.com For more news from Khaleej Times, follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/khaleejtimes , and on Twitter at @khaleejtimes Continue reading →
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