Dr Khalifa Al Kuwari:

“Health guidelines are essential to ensure a prosperous Ramadan to all members of the community”.

Doha, Qatar (July 08, 2013) – Aspetar Qatar Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Hospital has officially launched a public awareness campaign today entitled Healthy Ramadan. It aims to raise general health and sports awareness across the community by providing useful tips on how to stay active and fit throughout the Holy month in alignment 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 & research experts at Aspetar who have studied the effects of fasting on the human body. Dr Khalifa Al Kuwari, the Chief Executive Officer at Aspetar, said,

“It is a nationwide misconception that, throughout Ramadan, we have no choice but to let our healthy eating habits and work-out regimens disappear due to the strenuous effects that fasting can have on the body. However, 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 whilst maintaining and following healthy eating habits”.

He added, “If fasting is done in a responsible and conscious way, the community will realise that there are in fact many benefits that can be found 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 launched in July 2012, was well received by the local community due to the interactivity that it created amongst those celebrating the Holy month. The program became the go-to guide on how to enjoy the festivities without sacrificing healthy lifestyles. Dr Khalifa Al Kuwari continued,

“Aspetar prides itself in providing the community with advice and health education in areas that are especially prevalent at 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 whilst enjoying the festivities”.

In addition, the Healthy Ramadan guideline addresses 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 part of Aspire Zone Foundation’s life-long step into health program, is a new initiative that encourages members of the community to stay active this summer by exercising in shopping centres to avoid the high temperature of summer.

Aspetar is the world’s leading specialised orthopaedic and sports medicine hospital and the first in the Middle East. Based in Doha, Qatar, since 2007, the hospital provides top-level comprehensive medical treatment to all athletes in a state-of-the art facility that sets new standards internationally. In 2009 Aspetar was officially accredited as a FIFA Medical Centre of Excellence (F-MARC). Aspetar is a member–organisation of Aspire Zone Foundation, Qatar’s innovative sports and healthy lifestyle destination.