Saudi kids flock to London fitness camps amid regional obesity epidemic

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Maya Farsi (10) and Zuhair Farsi (5) at climbing classes
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Saudi national Nada Farsi is proud mother to two children, Maya and Zuhair, who attend the summer camp.
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Children from 4 to 12 years are recruited into the South Kensington 'Fit for Sport' camp.
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A large variety of sports and fitness activities are encouraged at the summer camp, so that children always feel included.
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The west London-based summer camp ‘Fit for Sport’ has seen record numbers of visiting Arab children signing up for nine-weeks of activities. (AN photos)
Updated 26 August 2017
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Saudi kids flock to London fitness camps amid regional obesity epidemic

LONDON: Saudi visitors to London are turning to fitness camps to give their kids a vacation workout.
The west London-based summer camp Fit for Sport has seen record numbers of visiting Arab children signing up for nine weeks of activities, the firm’s owner Dean Horridge told Arab News.
He said 70 percent of the camp’s pupils are Arabs, hailing from countries such as Saudi Arabia and the UAE.
With the camp’s upmarket South Kensington site just a stone’s throw from Hyde Park, 110 children are coached in daily activities such as swimming and rock climbing, from July to September, at a cost of around £240 ($309) per week.
“We work a lot with the local Arab embassies. The children come to London in the summer months as the Gulf region is too hot,” said Horridge, who runs summer camps across the country and works with 250 UK schools to provide after-class activities and PE curriculum support.
“Our camps are a great chance to showcase how it feels to be active and, more importantly, how much better the children feel after activity,” he added.
“Initially there’s a reluctance for children to get involved in the sports activities we provide, but very quickly they realize this is fun. The difficulty is trying to convey that back to the parent.”
Horridge said he welcomes the UAE’s recent move to raise the price of soft drinks and energy drinks by up to 100 percent.
“Some of the children come with lunchboxes that are full of junk and don’t have the right food. Some of them have nannies that bring the food at lunchtime. No 7-year-old needs a bucket of rice for lunch, but they’ll eat it just because it’s part of life and the norm,” he said.
“We encourage some healthy snacks like apples, which help children to lose weight. The kids start off very unfit, so we have to embed a program that builds up their confidence and makes them gradually fitter. We have to be careful as we don’t want to damage their self-esteem.”
Dr. Nada Farsi, a Saudi dentist based in London for the summer months, has enrolled her children Maya (10) and Zahair (5) in the South Kensington summer camp.
“They love it very much. They’re happy doing different activities, such as lots of walking to museums and parks,” she told Arab News.
“It’s the nature of the city, and they always get excited by looking at how many steps they’ve done.”
Farsi said she leads an active lifestyle and goes to an adult boot camp three times a week. “Physical health is so important, and I want to pass that on to my children,” she added.
“I also send the children to basketball and soccer classes in Jeddah for four hours a week. In the beginning they found it hard, but now they enjoy it as they’re used to it.”
She said levels of obesity in Jeddah concern her. “I see many obese kids. They shouldn’t be that obese, and I wonder how they’ll fare into adulthood.”
Farsi urged more government initiatives to encourage physical activity among the population. “PE lessons for girls have just been implemented, but we need more. We need more sidewalks and cycle lanes,” she said.
“We want to walk but we can’t. I miss this in Saudi Arabia. We need more parks and green places.”
Sin taxes, such as those introduced in Saudi Arabia and the UAE on sugary drinks, could help quell the region’s child obesity epidemic and encourage more active lifestyles, said Sonia Saxena, professor of primary care and head of the child health unit at the School of Public Health, Imperial College, London.
“The UK government has introduced similar measures but they don’t go far enough,” Saxena said. “This move from the UAE is bold and very welcome.”
She added that raising the price of soft drinks has already been proven to reduce obesity in countries such as Mexico. “All the evidence shows this is a good move,” she said.
The researcher, who is a visiting coach for the Dubai government on child obesity issues, added that soft drinks have “considerable sugar,” which can contribute to obesity in children and adults.
“Children and adults also need to eat five fruit and vegetables a day, decrease their sedentary activity and screen time, and increase exercise activity,” Saxena said.
“Most importantly, there needs to be a regional change in the culture. There has to be a culture that permits and promotes children to be active.”
Horridge said regional governments should take a 360-degree approach. “It’s a partnership between schools and parents to get kids active. If you don’t get kids active and eating healthily from an early age, children become overweight, disengaged and very lazy,” he said.
“Unfortunately, if that’s embedded at a young age it lasts a lifetime. This is very important to prevent issues such as diabetes, obesity and heart disease.”


Saudi Arabia’s urban planning on display at WUF

Updated 43 sec ago
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Saudi Arabia’s urban planning on display at WUF

  • The pavilion highlighted prominent Saudi infrastructure development initiatives, in line with international quality standards, that meet the needs of residents and visitors of Saudi cities

CAIRO: The Saudi pavilion at the World Urban Forum in Cairo this week hosted a series of workshops and bilateral meetings on the Kingdom’s strategies and projects in comprehensive urban planning.

The Saudi presence also underlined the positive effect of these strategies on achieving sustainable urban development and improving the quality of life in Saudi cities, in line with the goals of Vision 2030.

Through representatives and officials of the Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs and more than 30 national entities, the Saudi pavilion showed the Kingdom’s efforts to adopt and expand comprehensive urban planning practices focused on sustainability, and apply the requirement to study environmental impact in municipal and investment projects.

The meetings highlighted the concept of smart municipalities aimed at improving the quality of municipal services in Saudi regions and adopting modern technologies and enhanced municipal regulations for smart city policies, as well as the use of artificial intelligence technologies and data in improving the quality of life.

The pavilion highlighted prominent Saudi infrastructure development initiatives, in line with international quality standards, that meet the needs of residents and visitors of Saudi cities, the Saudi Press Agency reported, in addition to urban landscape development projects and visual distortion treatment projects.

 

 


Saudi foreign minister, Blinken discuss regional crises

Updated 08 November 2024
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Saudi foreign minister, Blinken discuss regional crises

  • Two discussed ongoing efforts to address the issues in Gaza and Lebanon

RIYADH: Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan spoke on the phone on Friday with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Saudi Press Agency reported.

During the call, they reviewed regional issues, with a particular focus on Gaza and Lebanon and ongoing efforts to address the issues there, SPA added.

In a separate call on Friday with UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, Blinken stressed the need to stop the fighting in Sudan and the need to support efforts to form a civilian government, the State Department said.

Blinken also discussed the need to expand humanitarian access to Sudan and thanked the UAE for its provision of aid for Gaza and Lebanon, according to a State Department statement.


Saudi health minister unveils new healthcare projects in Qassim

Updated 7 sec ago
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Saudi health minister unveils new healthcare projects in Qassim

  • Saudi Health Minister’s visit marked the inauguration of several healthcare projects, including 54 initiatives valued at more than SR 448 million ($119.4 million)

BURAIDAH: Saudi Health Minister Fahad Al-Jalajel visited Qassim to review several healthcare projects designed to enhance the quality, efficiency and accessibility of medical services for residents.

These initiatives align with the objectives of the Health Sector Transformation Program, a key component of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030, which aims to foster a “vibrant society” enjoying a healthy and prosperous life, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

His visit marked the inauguration of several healthcare projects, including 54 initiatives valued at more than SR 448 million ($119.4 million). Among these were key projects under the Qassim Health Cluster, such as the dental center in Unaizah, along with community-supported initiatives worth nearly SR102 million.

Highlights included the Prince Faisal bin Mishaal Fertility Center in Buraidah, the Abdullah Saleh Al-Othaim Diabetes Treatment Center at Al-Rass General Hospital, the Al-Rajhi Bank Cardiac Catheterization Center, and several other specialized healthcare facilities.

 


Saudi Arabia highlights global humanitarian efforts at G20 Parliamentary Summit in Brazil

Mishaal bin Fahm Al-Sulami, deputy speaker of Saudi Arabia’s Shoura Council, took part in the 10th Summit of G20 Parliamentary S
Updated 08 November 2024
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Saudi Arabia highlights global humanitarian efforts at G20 Parliamentary Summit in Brazil

  • Mishaal bin Fahm Al-Sulami, deputy speaker of Saudi Arabia’s Shoura Council, made the comments during the 10th Summit of G20 Parliamentary Speakers held in Brazil

RIYADH: Mishaal bin Fahm Al-Sulami, deputy speaker of Saudi Arabia’s Shoura Council, commended Brazil’s initiative to launch the Global Alliance to Combat Hunger and Poverty, affirming that Saudi Arabia has been a member of the alliance since May 2024, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

This came during the 10th Summit of G20 Parliamentary Speakers held in Brasilia, Brazil, focusing on the theme “Parliaments for a Fair World and a Sustainable Planet.”

Al-Sulami led the Kingdom’s delegation at the international gathering, revealing that Riyadh would host the UN Conference on Land and Drought in December.

The deputy speaker elaborated on Saudi Arabia’s comprehensive approach to addressing poverty and hunger through the efforts of the government and the Shoura Council, which have created a social safety net through various support programs, the Social Development Bank, and the contribution of charitable organizations.

On the international front, Saudi Arabia’s humanitarian contributions have been substantial, SPA reported. From 1975 to 2024, the Kingdom provided nearly $133 billion in development assistance, reaching 171 countries worldwide. This aid has supported over 7,090 humanitarian and development projects. Currently, the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre manages 1,700 projects aimed at combating hunger and poverty around the world.

Al-Sulami highlighted Saudi Arabia’s commitment to workplace equality through its adoption of ILO Conventions 100 and 111. The Kingdom’s laws ensure equal pay and employment opportunities, with no discrimination between men and women in jobs and wages. These efforts have yielded significant results, with female participation in the labor market reaching 37 percent by 2023, exceeding expectations set in the Kingdom’s Vision 2030.

The Kingdom has also provided $187 million in urgent relief to Gaza, along with $1.6 billion in development and humanitarian assistance, according to SPA.

Saudi Arabia launched the Global Alliance for the Two-State Solution in partnership with other Arab and Islamic countries, the EU, and Norway, hosting its first meeting in Riyadh on Oct. 30, 2024. Following the extraordinary Arab-Islamic Summit held in Riyadh on Nov. 11, 2023, the Kingdom announced another edition of the summit scheduled for Nov. 11, 2024. These efforts aim to achieve an immediate ceasefire, end the Israeli occupation, provide relief to the Palestinian people, and establish an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital, in line with UN Security Council resolutions.

The P20 summit addressed several crucial topics, including parliamentary contributions to fighting hunger, poverty, and inequality; the role of parliaments in sustainable development; and adapting parliamentary systems to 21st-century governance challenges. Iman Al-Jubreen, a member of the Shoura Council delegation, presented a working paper on women’s representation in decision-making positions, sharing Saudi Arabia’s experience in women’s empowerment.


Hundreds of events set to wow audiences at Jazan’s winter festival

Updated 08 November 2024
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Hundreds of events set to wow audiences at Jazan’s winter festival

  • Al-Ghazwani said this year’s winter season would last for 90 days
  • The calendar includes the international book fair, craft bus, Saudi international coffee festival and Jazan international festival

RIYADH: Audiences will be spoilt for choice at the Jazan Winter Festival, with 300 fantastic events on the program, reported the Saudi Press Agency.
General supervisor Yahya bin Jaber Al-Ghazwani told a press conference that the festival, under the patronage of Jazan Governor Prince Mohammed bin Nasser bin Abdulaziz, included 200 diverse events implemented by the region’s secretariat and 100 by other government agencies and departments.
Al-Ghazwani said this year’s winter season would last for 90 days with events taking place at 42 sites across Jazan city and the region’s governorates.
The calendar includes the international book fair, craft bus, Saudi international coffee festival and Jazan international festival for performing arts, along with concerts, cultural events, forums, poetry evenings, sports events, waterfront events, and park and heritage events.
On Thursday, the skies above Jazan’s North Corniche witnessed the launch of more than 3,000 balloons in various colors to celebrate the Jazan Winter Festival 2025.
Hundreds of residents, visitors and volunteers marveled at the spectacle, which included artistic formations of illuminated balloons.
The event marks the start of a busy winter season aimed at promoting local tourism in an atmosphere of joy and entertainment.