how to be healthy in qatar

I love how many times this article has been posted by my friends on Facebook and sent to me via email!

It's always interesting to read articles written in the Western press about Qatar and the Gulf. The articles have revolved around diplomacy, hydrocarbons, extravagant wealth, labor exploitation, travel, and education -- but this one brings the reader's attention to the particularly important problems of obesity, diabetes, and genetic disorders that afflict the Qatari general population.

Look, the genetic disorders are a really unfortunate consequence of retaining the tradition of marrying first cousins. Although this is now being talked about openly in Qatari society, no one seems to think that marrying practices will drastically change, much to the detriment of the 73 children (out of every 1,000 births) born with a genetic disorder (this is the 16th highest rate in the world; Saudi Arabia is #2). But the real health problem facing Qataris -- the one which tradition has nothing to do with (and modernity, everything) -- is that of lifestyle choice.

By some estimates, in five years 69% of Qatari men and 73% of Qatari women will be considered obese. Obesity leads to terrible consequences, including heart disease, diabetes, and hypertension. And all of this has to do, as the NYT succinctly puts it, with "leaving behind the physically demanding life of the desert for air-conditioned comfort, servants and fast food."

I previously discussed some of the problems I've had with making healthy food choices while living here -- and how I'm making a renewed effort to manage my cholesterol. That post contains a lot of good ideas for managing one's intake of fat and fiber in this country, but there are other things you can do (Qatari and non-Qatari alike) to make sure you don't fall into the obesity trend.

Besides making a conscious effort to eat healthily, some more suggestions:

- Walk, walk, walk. Make it a point to drive to a place where pedestrians can be comfortable -- the Corniche or Aspire Park (at night or early morning), or any of the numerous indoor, air-conditioned malls -- and take a walk. Buy a pedometer if it makes you feel more inspired. Everyone's goal should be 10,000 steps a day, but obviously you can build up to that! Other ways to fit in some steps: take frequent breaks from your desk to fill up your water bottle, get your own tea (stop calling the tea boy!), visit a colleague's desk. Park far away from entrances. Use the stairs instead of the elevator. All of these are little improvements that add up to a big difference.

- Drink tons of water and cut out the sodas (and the juices to an extent).

- Look into a standing desk -- you can make your own or order one online. The benefits to standing rather than sitting are clear and help you burn tons more calories (while steering clear of increased risk of cancers, heart disease, obesity, diabetes, and other causes of early death).

- Get to the gym. You don't need to work yourself to the point of exhaustion. Pedal on the bike, take a walk on the treadmill, do some arm weights. A half an hour of working out is better than nothing. It's a good excuse for buying a new iPod Nano, too.

Any other pointers, please let me know -- I'm gladly taking suggestions as well!


Photo credit:
Qataris eating fast food, Shawn Baldwin, New York Times