Aspire Zone Foundation (AZF) will celebrate the World Health Day tomorrow from 4pm – 7pm at Aspire Park with several activities. The World Health Day marks the anniversary of the founding of the World Health Organisation (WHO) in 1948 and this year’s theme for the day is ‘High Blood Pressure’.
Hamad Bu Hindi, public relations and media manager at AZF, said “AZF’s celebration of the World Health Day is the culmination of the Foundation’s commitment to improving the physical and psychological health of all members of the community in Qatar. We have long encouraged people to take on physical activity and we strive to provide them with the ideal environment to pursue a healthy lifestyle”.
He added that the programme had incorporated several activities to highlight the dangers of rising blood pressure and how walking could prevent the risks. “‘Step into Health’ was the most recent and unique initiative in this area, and it was launched in partnership with the Commercial Bank, Ooredoo and RasGas,” he added.
Dr Mohamed Gaith al-Kuwari, director of the Healthy Lifestyle Programme at Aspetar, said: ‘“Step into Health, launched in 2012, aims to make a difference in the daily habits of community members and move them gradually towards a healthier and more active lifestyle, with the aim of preventing diseases directly linked to lack of activity and unhealthy living.”
Dr Leonieke Richardson, head of Aspire Active, stated: “Research has proven that regular exercise and healthy lifestyle choices have many health benefits. The Aspire Active team encourages members of the Qatari community to get to know their blood pressure and make active choices.”
One of the activities designed for the whole family includes a structured walking circuit, which will feature traffic lights directing participants along the trail.
Individuals will be given a card at the start of the walk that will be stamped at each traffic light in order to confirm that they completed the entire course.
Aspetar nurses will be on hand at the start and finish of the circuit in order to measure blood pressure readings to demonstrate the positive effects of walking.
Pedometers will be given for free to participants with high blood pressure to encourage continued walking to help lower blood pressure levels. In addition, a selection of fantastic prizes will be on offer to those who complete the trail.
In order to qualify, individuals will be required to fill out a short quiz to stand a chance of winning.
Prizes include one-month free membership for one male, one female from Aspire Active, one-month free swim membership in Al Sadd Club, one-month membership to The Venue, three massage treatments at Chantara Spa, and two dinner vouchers from The Torch-Doha Hotel.
Children also can take part in the walk alongside their parents.
The young participants will receive their eat-well food plate at the start of the walk, and they will need to fill it with right portions of food at every traffic light.
Gifts will be presented to those who complete the given tasks at the multiple checkpoints throughout the course.
An Instagram competition will also be running throughout the celebration. Members of the community are encouraged to take photographs on the social media application while participating in AZF activities.
Prizes include an iPad for the first place winner, a lunch or dinner voucher at Three Sixty Restaurant at The Torch-Doha Doha for the second place winner, and a one month membership to Aspire Active for the third place holder.
http://www.gulf-times.com/qatar/178/details/348005/aspire-zone-marks-world-health-day-tomorrow
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