Lack of physical exercise is the main reason for many common diseases such as diabetes, obesity and cardiac ailments. To stem the rise of these ailments, people must find time to exercise even if it is only going out for a brisk walk, says Dr. Mohammed Ali, a popular physician working for Al-Abeer Medical Group.

Addressing a health awareness program organized by the women’s wing of Thanima, a cultural organization for Indian expatriates, Ali gave a number of practical tips to make people walk and burn their excess calories.

“Keep a walker in front of the television at home. This will help both men and women walk while watching television. Park your car away from your work place so that you will walk at least 15 minutes daily,” he said.

Dr. Ali urged people to invent new ways to make them get up and walk daily so as to keep themselves healthy and clear-headed. “We should visit mosques located a bit farther from our homes for prayer. This will not only make us healthy by walking a long distance but also help us earn a greater reward from God.”

Ali emphasized the need for establishing more playgrounds and jogging areas near residential areas to promote the health of citizens and residents. “This will encourage children to go out and play with their friends. Many children in the Kingdom have become obese because they don’t go out to play.”

Ali urged parents not to allow their children to consume fast food and soft drinks on a regular basis, saying it would make them fat.

“Children should be made aware of healthy habits early in their lives. Nowadays they spend a lot of time in front of computers and TV after returning from schools.”

Women eat a lot of fatty food and do not engage in enough physical activity to burn the calories, the doctor said, explaining the reasons behind the increasing number of obese women.

“In the past, diabetes was found among people aged above 40. Now it is quite common even among youths aged 25. This is because of both genetic and lifestyle reasons,” he said.

He stressed the need to reduce food intake. “We consume more food than is required. We should follow the Prophet’s (peace be upon him) instruction that we keep half of the stomach empty and drink a lot of water. We should start our lunch or dinner eating salad to cut down on the intake of heavy food,” he said. According to a study 95 percent of people do not eat vegetables.

“We should encourage children to play and exercise in the early years of their lives in order to adopt a healthy lifestyle. We should not force small kids to eat. They do not eat because they are not hungry. Play with them and make them hungry before giving them food,” he urged.