Aspetar health guide for the holy month

Aspetar Qatar Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Hospital has launched the Healthy Ramadan public awareness campaign.

The initiative aims to raise health and sports awareness across the community by providing useful tips on how to stay active and fit through the holy month in keeping with Muslim traditions. The campaign will continue until the end of Ramadan.

The Healthy Ramadan guide can be found on Aspetar’s official social media pages - Aspetar.com/Facebook and Aspetar.com/Twitter - and includes advice on how to maintain a healthy diet, a balanced exercise regime as well as sleeping tips. The recommendations have been developed by leading medical and research experts at Aspetar who have studied the effects of fasting on the human body.

“It is a nationwide misconception that throughout Ramadan we have no choice but to let our healthy eating habits and workout regimens disappear due to the strenuous effects that fasting can have on the body. Our goal with the Healthy Ramadan campaign is to make sure that this is not the case. Ramadan is an opportunity for all residents to enjoy the festivities while maintaining and following healthy eating habits,” explained Dr Khalifa al-Kuwari, CEO of Aspetar.

“If fasting is done in a responsible and conscious way, the community will realise that there can be many benefits if a balanced diet and sports schedule are maintained.”

The health guide includes educational information on how to exercise effectively, tips on sleeping patterns and advice on how to manage a nutrition plan during Iftar and Suhoor, as well as recommendations on fluid intake.

Aspetar’s previous Ramadan campaign, Ramadan & Health - which was launched in July 2012 - was well-received by the local community. The programme became the go-to guide on how to enjoy the festivities without sacrificing healthy lifestyles.  

Dr al-Kuwari said: “Aspetar prides itself in providing the community with advice and health education in areas that are especially prevalent this time of the year. This year, we are taking it one step further by providing the community with the necessary tools for maintaining healthy lifestyles while enjoying the festivities.”

In addition, the Healthy Ramadan guideline addresses the issue of physical activity. Although strenuous exercise without a healthy diet can lead to injury, mild exercise is recommended. Walk More…Walk in the Mall, which is a part of Aspire Zone Foundation (AZF)’s “step into health” programme, is a new initiative that encourages members of the community to stay active this summer by exercising in shopping centres.