Pinoys in Dubai top fitness survey
07/09/2011
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| Filipina women OFWs attend the free circuit training session conducted by the Filipino Sports League in Dubai. Photo courtesy of Filipino Sports League |
DUBAI, UAE – Filipino expats in this dazzling emirate came on top among other nationalities when it comes to getting sufficient amount of exercise required to stay healthy, according to survey results released recently by the Dubai Health Authority (DHA) and Dubai Statistics Centre.
Dr Eldaw Abdullah Sulaiman, Head of Research and Performance Management at DHA's Health Policy and Strategy Sector, said among men, 31.6% of Filipinos in Dubai exercise to stay healthy, followed by 27.9% of Westerners (from Europe, North America and Australasia) and 27.3% of other Arab expatriates.
Furthermore, about 41% of Filipinas, among women expats, find enough time to exercise, compared to women from all other nationalities who prefer to simply remain indoors.
The results, which are part of the over-all Dubai Household Health Survey conducted in 2009 from a database of 5,000 households (2,500 Emiratis; 2,500 other nationalities), showed an alarming rate of 81% Dubai residents (locals and expats) who are physically inactive and living unhealthy lifestyles.
The problem in terms of lack of exercise is known to be a key factor that triggers off a host of lifestyle diseases like diabetes, heart attacks and strokes, the DHA said in a statement.
The respondents were asked whether they had any moderate or intensive physical activity other than their work such as running, jogging or playing any kind of sport.
The study revealed:
· Only 19% of people in Dubai get enough exercise to keep themselves healthy;
· Men get less exercise than women. Only 17% of men and 25% of women get enough exercise to keep themselves healthy;
· Exercise levels decrease significantly with age in both sexes but especially in women. Less than 9% of women over 60 years get enough exercise to keep themselves healthy;
· Among all nationalities, Filipinos, Arab expats and Europeans get the most exercise;
· Among men, Europeans get the most exercise;
· Among women, Filipinas get the most exercise, and;
· There is a strong relationship between education and exercise. The more educated a person, the more likely he/she is to get enough exercise to stay healthy.
Specifically for UAE nationals, the survey showed:
· Only 19% of UAE nationals get enough exercise to keep themselves healthy;
· There is no gender difference in exercise levels among UAE nationals;
· Only 5% of UAE women over 60 years get enough exercise to keep themselves healthy, while only 7% of men aged 40-59 years get enough exercise;
· Overall, less educated adults and adults from poorer households significantly get less exercise, and;
· There is a strong relationship between education and exercise among UAE Nationals. The more educated a person, the more likely he/she is to get enough exercise to keep healthy.
Among the hindrances for people engaging in exercise are busy work schedule and hot weather especially during summer months when the mercury goes up to as high 45-47 degrees Celsius.
Amor Bautista, who works as an economic analyst for a Japanese firm in Dubai and a member of Filipino Runners-UAE, suggests doing outdoor exercise like running in the evening or early morning when the temperature is relatively low.
“Be disciplined and set time to do exercise. Its benefits will also redound to better work attitude,” Bautista said.
There is also one Filipino sports group that conducts free Body Pump and Circuit Training every Friday (which is the weekend and day-off for most expats) at the Sheikh Hind Bint Maktoum Al Maktoum Sports Hall in Jumeirah 2, Al Wasl Road, Dubai.
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