New SCH initiative to fight obesity Friday, 10 February 2012 05:32

Dr Saleh Ali Al Marri (third left), Assistant Secretary General (ASG) for Medical Affairs at the Supreme Council of Health (SCH), addressing the media at the SCH yesterday. Also in the picture are: Dr Sheikha Al Anoud bint Mohammad Al Thani, Director of Health Promotion and Non-Communicable Diseases, SCH; Dr Hamda Qotba, Medical Adviser to the ASG; Abdul Rahman Al Obaidli, General Manager for Sports, Ghanem bin Saad Al Saad Group of Companies; Hamad Rashid Al Kuwari, Director of Communications Barwa Real Estate Company (BREC); Ali Al Kuwari, P R Officer, BREC; Isaac Murtaza of the Olympic Committee. Salim Matramkot

DOHA: In the run up for the National Sports Day on February 14, the Supreme Council of Health (SCH) has launched a novel initiative to fight obesity among nationals and expatriates.

Under the initiative, dubbed “Win Your Health” SCH will select a certain number of people suffering from obesity every year and closely follow on their health to ensure they take the necessary measures to reduce weight.

This comes as part of a slew of activities being organised by the SCH to mark the first National Sports Day that aims to promote physical activity and healthy living habits among the population.

The SCH has set up a national committee to celebrate the occasion with participation of 23 pubic and private companies, institutions and organisations.

“The National Sports Day is an important step in the national efforts to develop a healthy society in line with the Qatar National Vision 2030. We have set up the special committee to ensure participation of all sectors in the celebrations,” Dr Saleh Al Merri, assistant secretary general of medical affairs at SCH said in a press conference yesterday.

Dr Hamda Qotba, medical advisor to the assistant secretary general said that the “Win Your Health” initiative was launched yesterday.

According to official statistics, Qatar has the second highest prevalence of overweight and obesity in the GCC region. Seventy-one per cent of all residents are overweight (among Qataris, 75 percent).

Thirty-two percent of all residents are obese or morbidly obese (among Qataris, 40 percent). The prevalence of childhood obesity is also high: 28 percent of Qatari children are overweight.

“The project targets all the people suffering from obesity with a body mass index above 35 percent. This year we have limited it to the citizens. We have already selected 10 people with morbid obesity- six men and four women. In the coming years, we will expand the programme to include expatriates as well,” said Qotba.

Dieticians at the SCH and the Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) will prepare a dietary chart and exercise schedule for the 10 people, who will also undergo regular health check ups under the SCH supervision.

“Over the next one year, we will closely observe their health and assist them to reduce weight. In February next year, we will assess the results. Before the next National Sports Day we will select another team of obese people. There is also a plan to honour the candidates at the end of the one-year programme,” added Qotba.

SCH’s Sports Day celebrations will begin with a health march on the Corniche on February 14. The march will begin at 9am from Mascot Orry and proceed up to the Doha Sheraton Park and back.

“ We are expecting about 3,000 representatives from the participating companies to attend the march. Others can also participate by registering on the spot,” said Qotba.

A public tent will be erected near Mascot Orry, which will provide free check up for blood sugar, blood pressure, body mass index etc. Health workers will be available to give counselling to the people based on the test results. If any chronic cases are detected, they will be referred to the hospital.

A separate tent for the VIPs will also be set up.The Minister of Health and Secretary General of SCH Dr H E Abdullah bin Khalid Al Qahtani is expected to address the gathering, which will include a number of top dignitaries.

Dr Sheikha Al Anoud Al Thani, Director of Health Promotion and Non Communicable Diseases at SCH and representatives from the participating companies were also present at the press conference.The Peninsula

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