In line with world celebration, the Sultanate observed on Wednesday the Physical Activity Day with the aim of promoting the adoption of active lifestyles throughout the community individuals especially at their workplaces as a mean of reducing daily life pressures and thus raising the level of productivity. The Day further calls upon the concerned authorities forward creating effective environments for practicing physical activity at the cities in addition to direct the public opinion towards the significance of practicing active lifestyles.

On this occasion, H.E. Dr. Ahmed Mohammed Al Saidi, Minister of Health emphasized the prevalence of Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) on the international as well as on the national level.  Insufficient physical activity put a person at risk of NCDs such as diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, acute and chronic respiratory diseases, and chronic kidney diseases. Al Saidi further stated that the national surveys and studies have shown that the physical activity in the Sultanate is much less than should be at the global levels; therefore observing this day would send a clear message for the community to take care of their health and nutrition. The studies also proved that 40% these diseases can be prevented by changing the lifestyle such as accumulating at least 30 minutes a day for physical activity.

The event involved the participation of the public and private institutions’ personnel through conducting a one-minute physical activity. The participant practiced at least 20 moves in any position in order to strengthen the culture of physical activity.  

The celebration came in consistent with the National Campaign to Promote Physical Activity, which was launched by the Higher National Committee of Non-Communicable Diseases Control in last December under the slogan of “Health Begins with one Step”.

This campaign came in light of the Sultanate’s efforts represented by the Ministry of Health (MOH) to emphasize the growing health burden upon Non-Communicable Diseases. The campaign aims at educating the community on the significance of physical activity as the studies have indicated that the unhealthy life styles such as physical  inactivity is a key in acquiring diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol level. Moreover, it is the number one cause of mortality cases around the world and responsible for Premature Deaths.

It should be noted that the World Health Survey indicates that there is a 37% physical inactivity prevalence in the Omani society, which led to the increase of non-communicable diseases risk.