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.
Profile of Hala Insurance
Date Started: September 2018
Founders: Walid and Karim Dib
Based: Abu Dhabi
Employees: Nine
Amount raised: $1.2 million
Funders: Oman Technology Fund, AB Accelerator, 500 Startups, private backers
The specs: 2018 Maxus T60
Price, base / as tested: Dh48,000
Engine: 2.4-litre four-cylinder
Power: 136hp @ 1,600rpm
Torque: 360Nm @ 1,600 rpm
Transmission: Five-speed manual
Fuel consumption, combined: 9.1L / 100km
Volvo ES90 Specs
Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)
Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp
Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm
On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region
Price: Exact regional pricing TBA
A MINECRAFT MOVIE
Director: Jared Hess
Starring: Jack Black, Jennifer Coolidge, Jason Momoa
Rating: 3/5
NO OTHER LAND
Director: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham, Rachel Szor, Hamdan Ballal
Stars: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham
Rating: 3.5/5
Profile Box
Company/date started: 2015
Founder/CEO: Mohammed Toraif
Based: Manama, Bahrain
Sector: Sales, Technology, Conservation
Size: (employees/revenue) 4/ 5,000 downloads
Stage: 1 ($100,000)
Investors: Two first-round investors including, 500 Startups, Fawaz Al Gosaibi Holding (Saudi Arabia)
The specs
Engine: 5.0-litre V8
Power: 480hp at 7,250rpm
Torque: 566Nm at 4,600rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: L/100km
Price: Dh306,495
On sale: now
Essentials
The flights
Emirates, Etihad and Malaysia Airlines all fly direct from the UAE to Kuala Lumpur and on to Penang from about Dh2,300 return, including taxes.
Where to stay
In Kuala Lumpur, Element is a recently opened, futuristic hotel high up in a Norman Foster-designed skyscraper. Rooms cost from Dh400 per night, including taxes. Hotel Stripes, also in KL, is a great value design hotel, with an infinity rooftop pool. Rooms cost from Dh310, including taxes.
In Penang, Ren i Tang is a boutique b&b in what was once an ancient Chinese Medicine Hall in the centre of Little India. Rooms cost from Dh220, including taxes.
23 Love Lane in Penang is a luxury boutique heritage hotel in a converted mansion, with private tropical gardens. Rooms cost from Dh400, including taxes.
In Langkawi, Temple Tree is a unique architectural villa hotel consisting of antique houses from all across Malaysia. Rooms cost from Dh350, including taxes.
In numbers: PKK’s money network in Europe
Germany: PKK collectors typically bring in $18 million in cash a year – amount has trebled since 2010
Revolutionary tax: Investigators say about $2 million a year raised from ‘tax collection’ around Marseille
Extortion: Gunman convicted in 2023 of demanding $10,000 from Kurdish businessman in Stockholm
Drug trade: PKK income claimed by Turkish anti-drugs force in 2024 to be as high as $500 million a year
Denmark: PKK one of two terrorist groups along with Iranian separatists ASMLA to raise “two-digit million amounts”
Contributions: Hundreds of euros expected from typical Kurdish families and thousands from business owners
TV channel: Kurdish Roj TV accounts frozen and went bankrupt after Denmark fined it more than $1 million over PKK links in 2013
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Our legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
