The health of the nation is the focus of Weill Cornell Medical College in Qatar’s (WCMC-Q) campaign this Ramadan as it targets obesity.

The five-year ‘Sahtak Awalan — Your Health First’ campaign, in association with the Supreme Council of Health, has initiatives, including radio and TV programmes, a photo competition and mall dietitians for the holy month to encourage people to embrace a healthy lifestyle for the sake of themselves, their families and children.

With obesity a growing concern in Qatar, Dr Abdulwahed Zainel, a Qatari graduate from WCMC-Q, has joined experts from the college providing advice to the campaign.

He hosts ‘Your Healthy Choice’, a TV programme that is broadcast on Qatar TV each day from 2.50pm during Ramadan. He offers advice and information on the best foods to keep your body healthy and foods that should be avoided.

Dr Zainel said: “We all know that poor lifestyles and obesity are serious problems in our society and we all need to do more to live healthier lives. Small steps can lead to great strides and what better time to make those small changes in your life than the holy month. This year we will focus on healthy eating and benefits of six major food groups.

“The programme will help you take right decisions, improving your lifestyle for Ramadan and the future.”

Complementing the TV series is QF Radio’s schedule that will once again broadcast daily health tips from the campaign to help people transform their lives. Broadcast on Arabic and English frequencies at various times throughout the day, tips include advice on the most important foods to eat and the best diets to follow to avoid certain diseases.

Fasting is a major part of Ramadan but eating healthily at Iftar could do more than help your waistline, it might also win you a flight to Barcelona or one of dozens of other prizes.

The campaign is asking people to take a photo of their healthy meal using Instagram with the hashtag #YHFpics, or upload the photo to Sahtak Awalan Facebook site at www.facebook.com/SahtakAwalan.

Photos that receive the most votes will win anything from flights on Qatar Airways to Barcelona to iPads, iPhones and bicycles. If anyone needs any advice or inspiration as to what constitutes a healthy meal, talk to one of the Your Health First nutritionists in selected malls during Ramadan.

Nutritionists will be in Ezdan Mall from 9pm to midnight until July 6 and in Landmark Mall from July 10 to 12. They will be happy to answer any of your questions relating to diet and the best meals to feed yourself and your family.

The campaign was launched in 2012 in partnership with the Supreme Council of Health and in association with Qatar Foundation, Qatar Petroleum, the Supreme Education Council, Occidental Petroleum in Qatar, ExxonMobil, Qatar Olympic Committee and Vodafone.

It’s aim is to improve the health of everyone in Qatar by creating a population able to contribute to a knowledge-based economy, helping the nation achieve goals of Qatar National Vision 2030.

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QNE

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