MORE than 40 individuals are expected to take part in the sixth edition of the popular ‘Biggest Winner’ contest set to commence later this month.
Participants – both citizens and residents – will take on the challenge of losing 10 per cent of their weight in three months, through a diet designed according to their health status, in addition to taking part in sports activities.
The event aims to encourage people to adopt a healthier lifestyle in a bid to combat obesity, whilst also launching a nationwide movement to create a healthy population.
According to clinical dietician and Health Mates Society vice-president Areej Al Saad, the initiative, held in collaboration with the Northern Governorate, will contribute to limiting the spread of non-communicable health diseases.
“According to the last national survey conducted in Bahrain in 2018, the rate of obesity was 20.7 per cent among residents and 42.8pc among citizens,” Ms Al Saad told the GDN.
“A total of 39.8pc of residents and 33.2pc of citizens were also in the overweight category.
“This is due to several reasons, which include excessive intake of calorie-rich foods, lack of physical activity, psychological or genetic factors, and lack of sleep in addition to side effects of medication or diseases like hypothyroidism.
“The Biggest Winner will be the one who sheds the most fat, or loses the most centimetres of waist circumference by adhering to a healthy diet and sports plan.
“There will be a winner in each of four groups.
“However, regardless of who takes the first place, all participants are winners as they seek good health and adopt a healthy lifestyle during the competition.”
Ms Al Saad said participants should be a citizen or resident of Bahrain (currently residing in Bahrain) so as to facilitate direct follow-up. He or she should be 18 years or older to join the adults category or aged 10 to 17 to enter the children’s group. They should also have a body mass index of 30 or more.
She added that the waist circumference for women should be 88cm or more.
“All contestants should have a stable health condition even if they suffer from chronic non-communicable diseases,” she added.
“Contestants must agree to photograph their daily meals within a specific schedule for evaluation as well as take daily photographs of themselves before and after participation.
“They must agree to undergo the necessary medical tests and weight measurements, while also possessing a strong desire to implement the requirements of the contest.”
Patients with Type 1 diabetes are excluded or obligated to follow up with the treating physician in conjunction with the competition. Pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers who haven’t completed six months after giving birth cannot take part.
Meanwhile, Northern Governor Ali Al Asfoor told the GDN that 141 individuals took part in the last five editions with five segments of society targeted as part of the campaign.
The GDN previously reported that the fifth edition held in July last year included 10 people with autism for the first time, as part of co-operation between the Northern Governorate and the Bahrain Autistic Society.
According to Mr Al Asfoor, the campaign started in the Northern Governorate in October 2019 in line with the governorate’s vision to achieve World Health Organisation accreditation for A’ali – Healthy City.
“The initiative was launched to encourage people to adopt healthier lifestyles, lose weight and combat obesity, while also fostering community partnership to achieve WHO Healthy City accreditation for A’ali,” he said.
“Participants are asked to create a video on social media to combat obesity which contributes to raising awareness while also creating innovative ways to work out at home.
“We encourage contestants to continue the healthy eating habits and sports even after the competition.
“One of our biggest success stories is Sayed Adnan Baqer, a Bahraini who reduced his weight from 120kg to 69kg between November 2019 and July 2020.”
For details visit @health_mates_society and @northerngovbh on Instagram.
reem@gdnmedia.bh
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