The scene is very familiar. Drive up to any commercial establishment, a hospital, or a supermarket, and chances are that several vehicles block your passage in the driveway. Some are double-parked and locked, while others sit idling while their occupants are sitting inside waiting for the first available parking slot nearest to the entrance.

Notwithstanding the fact that it could take up to 10 minutes of waiting or several hundred cubic meters of deadly fluorocarbons spit out into the atmosphere, these motorists remain unmoved. Is it the heat, I ask, or is it gradually becoming part of our national psyche? Are we adopting this trait as another national custom, similar to our habit of jumping queues? Or is it plain indolence?

With medical statistics reporting that the ratio of diabetes is rising rapidly across a broad spectrum of our populace, and the obvious signs of obesity among our young, could this unsettling habit of not walking a few extra meters contribute to the ever increasing malady?

It may be worthwhile to begin with awareness and education at primary school levels. A course on the benefits of physical activity and the curse of lethargy. It is a sad fact that most of the girls’ schools here do not provide Physical Education in their curriculum, nor do they encourage team sports. Gymnastics, swimming, ballet or track and field that are often taken for granted in Western schools are virtually non-existent here. And as for the boys, there is soccer, soccer, and more soccer. What if a child is not necessarily inclined toward that sport? There is little else.

And outside the boundaries of schools, where does one find amenable public playgrounds offering a variety of sports, such as Jungle Jim’s, tennis, etc.? The privileged are fortunate to build such facilities within their homes or find such resources available in Western compounds, but what of the masses? Where do they go? In most cases, they end up glued to the television for lack of other activities. And therein lies the problem.

These children do not get enough exercise. They are led to be dormant at an early age. And this pattern strengthens in their growing years. Coupled with an abundance of fast food outlets to provide them their fare while glued to a TV set, we are compounding the problem. And for no justifiable reason, other than lack of foresight by our educators and city planners. There is absolutely nothing in our beliefs or culture that should prevent the exercising of the body as well as the soul.

And so, my friends, if the car ahead of you is blocking your path and increasing your level of irritation, be a little forgiving and understand that the reason is much deeper than what may seem to be plain laziness.— Tariq A. Al-Maeena([email protected])