With the aim of becoming the world’s most active city, Dubai has launched a unique challenge. Announced by Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Dubai Executive Council, Dubai residents have been urged to be part of a fitness movement and commit themselves to 30 minutes of daily activity for a period of 30 days.
With nearly 70 per cent of the UAE population either having some form of cardiovascular disease, or at the risk of getting it, the ‘30 minute x 30 days’ challenge is well-timed to motivate residents to take up physical activity. Statistics reveal that close to 1.5 million people in the country are likely to be suffering from lifestyle diseases like diabetes. Non-communicable diseases constitute a major public health issue, accounting for 65 per cent of deaths across the UAE. Doctors attribute it to unhealthy lifestyles, as well as the high prevalence of diabetes, obesity, hypertension and hypercholesterolaemia.
As a step towards helping to reduce the prevalence of lifestyle diseases and to introduce a culture of fitness into the daily lives of citizens and expatriates, the 30-day challenge will encompass all forms of activity — walking, team sports, intense fitness regimes, paddle-boarding, aerobics, football, yoga, cycling etc. The aim is to make it personally rewarding for all participants, across various age groups and fitness levels.
While government organisations, public sector businesses and educational institutions are expected to lead the initiative, it is the active participation of people that will make the Dubai Fitness Challenge a success. The initiative will certainly help residents adopt a healthier lifestyle and improve their quality of life.
