Abdulaziz Al-Turki, chairman of the Saudi Diabetes and Endocrine Association (SDEA), announced the launch of a program for retirees called “Promote your health during and after Ramadan” during the annual gathering of the National Association of Retirees in Dammam recently. The function was attended by hundreds of retirees.

Al-Turki stressed the importance of maintaining the health, safety and well-being of retirees through the adoption of a healthy lifestyle, taking a balanced diet, regular exercise in addition to checking on the body’s vital signs including blood sugar, blood pressure and the body mass index.

The program emphasizes the importance of a health plan and maintaining the levels of blood sugar, blood pressure and lipids within the normal ranges as well as the need for diabetics to pay attention to their feet and combating obesity.

Dr. Basem Futa, chairman of the Education and Nutrition Committee of SDEA, gave a lecture on nutrition and proper health planning. This included health tips on shopping, cooking, the importance of drinking fluids and guidelines for reducing cholesterol intake, saturated fats, trans fats and salt.

He stressed the fact that meals should be well balanced and rich in fiber, vitamins, minerals, and anti-oxidants. The health program for retirees includes the use of “my plate” model to sustain health and reduce risks of diabetes, obesity, heart diseases, stroke and osteoporosis.

Dr. Kamil Salamah, general secretary of the SDEA, highlighted the need for retirees to have regular checkups, quit smoking and to make their homes smoke free.

He also emphasized that the golden age of the retirees should include healthy planning and setting goals with their health care team in order to improve quality of life and reduce the risks of noncommunicable diseases, falls and protecting the environment by avoiding food waste.

The SDEA, in coordination with the National Association of Retirees, is working to organize a walking event, titled “walking for health” in Dammam on Oct. 1 to mark the occasion of the international “World Walking Day.” The aim of this social and health event is to create a walking culture in the community.