Experts promote physical exercise

The director of the Health Promotion Department at the Ministry of Health, Dr. Abeer Al-Bahwa, said that the percentage of physical inactivity in Kuwait has increased to about 61 percent among adults (18 years of age and older) and 75 percent among females. Al-Bahwa said that the holy month of Ramadan is a good opportunity to exercise, reduce inactivity, and promote health, pointing to the rising and increasing rates of obesity and diabetes in the country.

She explained that the percentage of physical inactivity from the age of 11 to 17 years for males was 79 percent, while for females, it was 90 percent, and the average inactivity rate for that age group was 84 percent. It was reported that the prevalence of physical inactivity among the elderly reached 76 percent among males and 85 percent among females, indicating that changing the level of physical inactivity among people in Kuwait requires a system based on a specific approach and involves a wide range of measures across multiple sectors.

She pointed to the cooperation of various sectors in the Ministry of Health in spreading health awareness and presenting plans and policies that would encourage Kuwaiti society of all age groups to move and avoid physical inactivity, which would cause many chronic diseases and others. The research indicated that diseases known as chronic or lifestyle-related are the leading cause of global mortality, with about 41,000,000 deaths resulting from them. Globally, it accounts for 74 percent of deaths, while up to 79 percent are in Kuwait.

She called for building a comprehensive, integrated, and multi-sectoral national plan to promote physical activity at the national level among leaders, decision-makers, and influencers, preparing a training program to prepare leaders and champions who promote physical activity in relevant sectors, and supporting initiatives that encourage the practice of sports.