Overview:
The fifth of March is a national walking day, celebrated annually to promote and stimulate the practice of walking, with the participation of all segments of society in all regions of the Kingdom. The Ministry of Health (MOH) sponsors this day to remind people of the health benefits of walking.
The physical activity guidelines recommend that adults get at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic physical activity or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity physical activity, or an equivalent combination each week. The guidelines also recommend that children and adolescents be active for at least 60 minutes every day. Following these guidelines can contribute to overall health, and decrease the risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease, cancer or diabetes.
It is noted that the physical inactivity prevalence ranged from 50% to 85% among males and from 73% to 91% among females. Walking is a great way to get the necessary physical activity and obtain the health benefits, given that it does not require any special skills. One round of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity can improve sleep, memory, and ability to think and learn, as well as reducing anxiety symptoms.
Objectives:
- Promote public health.
- Spread walking culture, and increasing the number of people walking.
- Motivate walking by engaging all segments of society across the Kingdom, in line with the national aspirations towards a healthy body in an ambitious homeland.
Facts:
Walking every day, even for a short period, gives the body many health benefits, including:
- Increased cardiovascular and pulmonary (heart and lung) fitness.
- Reduced risk of heart disease and stroke.
- Improved management of conditions such as hypertension (high blood pressure), high cholesterol, joint and muscular pain or stiffness, and diabetes.
- Stronger bones and improved balance
- Increased muscle strength and endurance
- Reduced body fat.
The faster, farther and more frequently you walk, the greater the benefits
Official Date:
Globally: March 5th, 2022
Locally: Sha’ban 2nd, 1443H.
References:
Better Health Channel
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
National Library of Medicine