Each month, Weekend will pose a different question to be debated on by a series of female Emirati columnists. This week, we ask Safiya Al Maskari:
What are the best ways to improve the overall health of UAE citizens?
In the 1970s, the UAE made a large investment in health services, causing a rise in the life expectancy of UAE citizens. After the country’s formation, it was among one of the first issues to be tackled. This shows that health was and still is an important facet of life in the UAE. However, today the health of UAE citizens is at risk due to unhealthy lifestyles among the majority of families. If the issue is not addressed seriously, the problem will eventually become too big to handle.
The simplest way to improve health is to exercise frequently. Just as children take sports classes in school, adults should also engage in exercise regularly, either in the gym or at home, to maintain a fit and healthy lifestyle. Rather than sitting in front of the TV or electronic gadgets all day, parents should spend time working out with their kids to establish a healthy bond and spend quality time together. The more adults practise this routine, the more likely their kids will pursue the same lifestyle.
In addition, healthy eating habits are key to improving health. Anything you put into your body is a mirror of how your health will turn out to be. Stable diets should be implemented in families, encouraging children to eat what is healthy and avoid what is not. It is the duty of parents to watch their children’s diets constantly, preventing them from eating out daily. It is important to avoid food filled with fat, artificial colouring, preservatives and all ingredients that are non-beneficial to their health.
Nowadays, people spend a large amount of time with electronics, such as mobile phones and computers, and less time socialising with people. This lack of social life or movement is a major cause in the deterioration of health. The more time a person spends in front of electronics, the less likely they are to move or pay attention to their physical health.
To see noticeable improvements, the following points should take effect at schools: fundamental changes in school curriculums, control of food supply, the education of parents on the importance of health and campaigns on health awareness. This must be done, as it is obvious that the current efforts are neither sufficient nor effective.
The biggest mistake you could make is neglecting your health during your youth. Most people start looking after their health once they are older when they become conscious of their physical limitations. A healthy lifestyle should be maintained throughout your life.
Being a bad example will only cause the next generation to be less healthy than the one before. You are accountable for your actions and should always keep in mind the future generation of the country.
Safiya Al Maskari is an interior designer and research assistant at the National Centre for Documentation and Research
weekend@thenational.ae
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What is safeguarding?
“Safeguarding, not just in sport, but in all walks of life, is making sure that policies are put in place that make sure your child is safe; when they attend a football club, a tennis club, that there are welfare officers at clubs who are qualified to a standard to make sure your child is safe in that environment,” Derek Bell explains.
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The Perfect Couple
Starring: Nicole Kidman, Liev Schreiber, Jack Reynor
Creator: Jenna Lamia
Rating: 3/5
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How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
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Company name: baraka
Started: July 2020
Founders: Feras Jalbout and Kunal Taneja
Based: Dubai and Bahrain
Sector: FinTech
Initial investment: $150,000
Current staff: 12
Stage: Pre-seed capital raising of $1 million
Investors: Class 5 Global, FJ Labs, IMO Ventures, The Community Fund, VentureSouq, Fox Ventures, Dr Abdulla Elyas (private investment)
The Buckingham Murders
Starring: Kareena Kapoor Khan, Ash Tandon, Prabhleen Sandhu
Director: Hansal Mehta
Rating: 4 / 5
Cricket World Cup League Two
Teams
Oman, UAE, Namibia
Al Amerat, Muscat
Results
Oman beat UAE by five wickets
UAE beat Namibia by eight runs
Namibia beat Oman by 52 runs
UAE beat Namibia by eight wickets
Fixtures
Saturday January 11 - UAE v Oman
Sunday January 12 – Oman v Namibia
Which products are to be taxed?
To be taxed:
Flavoured water, long-life fruit juice concentrates, pre-packaged sweetened coffee drinks fall under the ‘sweetened drink’ category
Not taxed
Freshly squeezed fruit juices, ground coffee beans, tea leaves and pre-prepared flavoured milkshakes do not come under the ‘sweetened drink’ band.
Products excluded from the ‘sweetened drink’ category would contain at least 75 per cent milk in a ready-to-drink form or as a milk substitute, baby formula, follow-up formula or baby food, beverages consumed for medicinal use and special dietary needs determined as per GCC Standardisation Organisation rules
UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
Profile of Whizkey
Date founded: 04 November 2017
Founders: Abdulaziz AlBlooshi and Harsh Hirani
Based: Dubai, UAE
Number of employees: 10
Sector: AI, software
Cashflow: Dh2.5 Million
Funding stage: Series A
The Penguin
Starring: Colin Farrell, Cristin Milioti, Rhenzy Feliz
Creator: Lauren LeFranc
Rating: 4/5
The specs
Engine: 3.6 V6
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Power: 295bhp
Torque: 353Nm
Price: Dh155,000
On sale: now
STAGE 4 RESULTS
1 Sam Bennett (IRL) Deceuninck-QuickStep - 4:51:51
2 David Dekker (NED) Team Jumbo-Visma
3 Caleb Ewan (AUS) Lotto Soudal
4 Elia Viviani (ITA) Cofidis
5 Matteo Moschetti (ITA) Trek-Segafredo
General Classification
1 Tadej Pogacar (SLO) UAE Team Emirates - 12:50:21
2 Adam Yates (GBR) Teamn Ineos Grenadiers - 0:00:43
3 Joao Almeida (POR) Deceuninck-QuickStep - 0:01:03
4 Chris Harper (AUS) Jumbo-Visma - 0:01:43
5 Neilson Powless (USA) EF Education-Nippo - 0:01:45
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Israel Palestine on Swedish TV 1958-1989
Director: Goran Hugo Olsson
Rating: 5/5