1. Officials move to counter Ramadan weight
increase
Hala Khalaf
• Last Updated: August 18. 2009 2:41PM UAE / August 18. 2009 10:41AM GMT
The Ministry of Health is hoping to counteract weight gain during Ramadan with a campaign.
Ryan Carter / The National
DUBAI // Contrary to popular opinion, most Muslims gain weight during Ramadan – by gorging
themselves nightly after abstaining from food and drink between sunrise and sunset and
refraining from physical activity.
To counteract the weight gain associated with the holy month, the Ministry of Health has
launched an intensive four-day campaign – Ahlan Ramadan – to provide information on
maintaining physical health amid the rigours of fasting then feasting, the official news agency,
WAM, reported yesterday.
“Typically, we have noticed a trend in increased obesity and many [incidents involving] diabetes
during the holy month because of irregular and inappropriate eating after breaking the fast,” said
Dr Wedad al Maidor, director of the PHC Dubai health centres and the head of the tobacco
control team at the MoH.
“[Ahlan Ramadan] will ensure that maximum numbers of residents are targeted to disseminate
information about the appropriate way to eat and stay healthy,” she said. The public education
campaign will consist of lectures and interactive sessions presented by medical experts at
selected business places, social associations and labour camps across Dubai, Sharjah and Ajman.
Dr Ali bin Shakar, director general of the MoH, said: “The fast of Ramadan has spiritual
significance as well as physical effects. Long hours of fasting may take a toll on the participant’s
health.”
A team of dieticians and chefs from BiteRite will also demonstrate a variety of healthy recipes
that can be used during Ramadan.
![Officials move to counter Ramadan weight
increase
Hala Khalaf
• Last Updated: August 18. 2009 2:41PM UAE / August 18. 2009 10:41AM GMT
The Ministry of Health is hoping to counteract weight gain during Ramadan with a campaign.
Ryan Carter / The National
DUBAI // Contrary to popular opinion, most Muslims gain weight during Ramadan – by gorging
themselves nightly after abstaining from food and drink between sunrise and sunset and
refraining from physical activity.
To counteract the weight gain associated with the holy month, the Ministry of Health has
launched an intensive four-day campaign – Ahlan Ramadan – to provide information on
maintaining physical health amid the rigours of fasting then feasting, the official news agency,
WAM, reported yesterday.
“Typically, we have noticed a trend in increased obesity and many [incidents involving] diabetes
during the holy month because of irregular and inappropriate eating after breaking the fast,” said
Dr Wedad al Maidor, director of the PHC Dubai health centres and the head of the tobacco
control team at the MoH.
“[Ahlan Ramadan] will ensure that maximum numbers of residents are targeted to disseminate
information about the appropriate way to eat and stay healthy,” she said. The public education
campaign will consist of lectures and interactive sessions presented by medical experts at
selected business places, social associations and labour camps across Dubai, Sharjah and Ajman.
Dr Ali bin Shakar, director general of the MoH, said: “The fast of Ramadan has spiritual
significance as well as physical effects. Long hours of fasting may take a toll on the participant’s
health.”
A team of dieticians and chefs from BiteRite will also demonstrate a variety of healthy recipes
that can be used during Ramadan.](https://image.slidesharecdn.com/tnofficialsmovetocounterramadanweightincreaseaug09-110517045312-phpapp02/85/Officials-move-to-counter-Ramadan-weight-increase-1-320.jpg)
