Members of the marketing club at the College of Business Administration for females, part of the University of Business and Technology (UBT) recently organized a health and fitness awareness event.

Salma Fawzy, a third year student at CBA and one of the organizers of the event, said the aim of the event was to clarify misconceptions about the body and dieting as well as to highlight the importance of leading a healthy lifestyle.

Dr. Kholoud Shobain, a health care specialist working at King Fahad Armed Forces Hospital, 11 nutritionists, an expert of public health, Marian Polding, owner of Sweet Spot Tennis Academy and Cherifa Aboul Fettouh, Ph.D. in comprehensive nutrition, engaged with students during the two-day event.

The event witnessed the participation of a number of sports industry owners, who sought to highlight the importance of exercising and physical activity. A number of activities and lectures were organized, including a basketball tournament, dance sessions, nutrition quizzes, fitness challenges and a raffle draw.

Dr. Shobain lectured the students about how to maintain a health diet, the vitamins needed for good health, how to calculate the body mass index (BMI) and how to count calories.

Meanwhile, Polding talked about the importance of cultivating a passion and pursuing a hobby. She said that despite the challenges of living in Saudi Arabia, women must be persistent in following their dreams.

On her part, Aboul Fettouh urged female students not to be taken by fad diets and slimming products available in the market, describing them as harmful to their health. She stressed the importance of gradual weight loss, coupled with healthy eating and regular exercising. She also advised students with weight problems to consult with a nutrionist for help.