Saudi Women Must Diet And Exercise

In the oil rich Kingdom of Saudi Arabia  the governments health authorities are getting frustrated in their efforts to get the men and women to take more care of their health and to prevent the growing obesity rates in the country. Estimates suggest that well over 60% of Saudi Arabian women are overweight or obese and that they have very little knowledge of what is good for them to eat and that exercise can be good for them.

One of the main problems that the health officials are facing is the stern opposition to change from the the Imams and religious authorities who say that the exercise regimes and weigh loss plans are not good for the morality of their women.

In Jeddah and in Riyadh the two biggest cities women are forbidden to use the gyms and fitness centres. Women have even been known to have caused the wrath of the religious police by walking fast along public promenades even though they are fully clothed and covered up in the black robes. The religious police even go as far as to say the women should not change into clothes for exercise as this may destroy their morals. It is this sort of archaic attitude that is making the job of health and fitness promoters so difficult and problematic and the reason why the levels of obesity in the country continue to rise.

The rate of obese men is also a problem in Saudi Arabia with over half of all men being classified as overweight or obese. Saudi Ararbia is a very rich country and there is a great emphasis on luxury and good living among the wealthy which encouarges sedentary lifestyles.

Nevertheless efforts are underway to change the obesity problem and education campaigns are being launched in newspapers and even a few privately funded health campaigns are starting to give information about what is needed to keep weight down.