Two in five children do not exercise, survey finds

Two fifths of children living in the UAE do no exercise at all - and youngsters in Abu Dhabi are less active than those in Dubai.
Forty one per cent of parents surveyed for Al Aan TV's Nabd Al Arab (Arabs' Pulse) programme and The National by YouGov said that their children did not take part in any form of exercise or physical activity.
Of the 481 Dubai parents questioned, 69 per cent said their offspring exercised, compared with 50 per cent of 254 Abu Dhabi parents. In Sharjah, 53 per cent said their children took part in physical activity.
Jamal Rahima, a Syrian father of two in Abu Dhabi, said parents should make time to ensure their children get the chance to exercise.
"Life is very stressful and our time is really limited but your children are the most important thing," he said. "You need to give them the most important thing in your life, which is time."
The 33-year-old, who has lived in Abu Dhabi for 22 years, regularly takes his children, aged seven and two, to the Corniche, where they cycle, and to the park to play ball.
"I think it's healthy, first of all, to move their muscles," Mr Rahima said. "It's the kids' nature - they want to jump, run and jog.
"We have all over the Corniche to cycle and to jog. Let's not forget the nice beach where they can swim."
Syed Sajid said he takes his three children, who are 14, 11 and 5, to the park every weekend in Abu Dhabi, where they play cricket and football, as well as run around.
The 48-year-old, from India, was surprised so few children do the same, adding: "There are a lot of facilities available but maybe children tend to go to the mall, rather than gardens and playing areas."
Physical education classes and related activities in school were the biggest source of activity for UAE youngsters in the survey, with 47 per cent of active children taking part.
Walking was second, with 44 per cent, and football, cricket and basketball with 43 per cent of children who exercise participating. Other activities included swimming, jogging and cycling.
Dr Ahed Bisharat, a consultant paediatrician at Burjeel Hospital in the capital, said children should do at least an hour of exercise every day. Physical activity was important to increase the metabolism and blood supply to organs, he said, pointing out that a lack of exercise in children is linked to the development of a fatty liver in later life, which can lead to cirrhosis.
Exercise is also good for combating the onset of Type 2 diabetes.
 
ecleland@thenational.ae
For more information about this survey, watch Al Aan TV's Nabd Al Arab (Arabs' Pulse) programme at 8pm on April 6.