Dubai's government fears for nation's health as obesity crisis worsens. It has declared to pay residents in gold for losing those extra pounds as part of a government campaign to fight growing obesity in the Gulf Arab emirates. The 30-day weight-loss challenge was launched on Friday to coincide with the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, when the faithful refrain from eating and drinking during daylight hours.
Many people eat too much after breaking the fast, diving into traditional dishes loaded with oil, fat and sugar. That can push their daily caloric intake well above levels outside of Ramadan.
For every kilogram dropped by Aug. 16, contestants who register from Friday can walk away with a gram of gold. The currently worth of which is about $42 US. Called Your Weight in Gold the scheme was announced by Hussain Nasser Lootah, director general of Dubai Municipality.
"Ramadan is the most appropriate season to launch such initiatives as it reminds us about many health benefits of reducing weight and encourages us to take strong steps to change our bad lifestyles," he said.
There has been alarm across Gulf States at the sharp rise in obesity blamed on increasing fast-food diets and a lack of exercise. The Your Weight in Gold scheme is being sponsored by the Dubai Gold and Jewellery Group and Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC) .
Ahmed bin Sulayem, executive chairman of the DMCC said: "We would highly encourage everyone from all walks of life to take part in this great initiative and hope DMCC's contribution of AED 100,000 ($27,225) worth of gold coins will help motivate individuals." At Friday's registration participants will be able to receive advice on how to lose weight without harming their health.
Three lucky winning participants will get £3,500 gold coin bonusWorld Health Organisation figures from 2009 revealed the extent of the UAE's obesity epidemic with some 39.9 per cent of women in the Emirates being severely overweight.
The weight of each participant will be measured on registration time and at the end of programme. Participants can register in the event sites any day during the period. Participant must have excess weight to reduce and stay away from unhealthy methods to lose weight and should be present on the final day to measure weight.
The programme volunteers will record the weights of participants using national ID number in five sites namely Gate -3 of Zabeel Park , Main Gate of Khawaneej jogging track. Starting point of jogging track at Mamzar Beach, Gate 4 of Safa Park and Main Gate of Al Barsha Park.
According to a recent United Nations report. It rated the percentage of obesity in Kuwait at 42 percent, Saudi Arabia 35 percent, the United Arab Emirates at 33 percent and Qatar at 33 percent. Comparatively, the growing obesity rate in the United States is 35.7 percent.
In recent rankings of obesity worldwide, the UAE, a collection of seven Emirates including Dubai, is among the top 10 countries in the world. According to a recent World Health Organization study, 30.2 percent of males and 43 percent of women in the UAE are obese.
The Dubai challenge runs until 16 August, and three campaign-winning losers who enter a lucky draw will receive a gold coin each worth £3,500. Other golden slimmers will share gold coins worth a total £3,500. The plan is the latest attempt to encourage healthier lifestyles in the United Arab Emirates. Across the Gulf Arab states, authorities have raised alarms about rising obesity from increasing fast-food diets and lack of exercise.
Sources: BBC.uk, dailymail.uk, yahoo.com, cbc.ca
Feature Image:Commodities.com/facebook.
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