MOH warns against laziness: 75% of females and 61% of males suffer from inactivity in Kuwait
The Director of the Health Promotion Department at the Ministry of Health( MOH), Dr. Abeer Al-Bahwa, said that the rate of physical inactivity in Kuwait has risen to about 61% in adult males, and 75% among adult females.
Al-Bahwa added to KUNA on Sunday that the holy month of Ramadan is a good opportunity to exercise, reduce inactivity and improve health, pointing to the increasing rates of obesity and diabetes in the country.
She explained that the rate of physical inactivity between the ages of 11 and 17 years among males reached 79%, while it reached 90% among females, making the average rate of inactivity for that age group 84%.
The MOH warned against laziness and lethargy, stressing that they are the gateway to many chronic diseases. She stated that the prevalence of physical inactivity among the elderly (70 years and over) reached 76% among males and 85% 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 MOH to contribute to spreading health awareness and presenting policies that would encourage Kuwaiti society of all age groups to avoid physical inactivity, which would cause many chronic diseases.
Al-Bahwa explained that diseases known as chronic or lifestyle-related diseases are the main cause of global deaths, as the resulting death rate amounts to about 41 million people globally, equivalent to 74% of deaths, while it reaches 79% in Kuwait.
It called for building a comprehensive, multi-sectoral national plan to promote physical activity at the national level, preparing a training program to develop leaders and champions who promote physical activity in the relevant sectors, and supporting initiatives that encourage the practice of sports.
