Bahrain’s national cycling team has launched a campaign aimed at raising awareness about the implications of obesity and diabetes, in the lead up to one of its most demanding races of the year.
The Bahrain Victorious team’s Fitness Challenge will start on August 14, and run till September 5, during which fans are being encouraged to undertake an average of 30 minutes of exercise per day.
It is being run alongside the Vuelta Espana, a three-week cycling race in Spain, in which Bahrain Victorious will be competing.
“We want to kick-start people’s fitness journey and fight back against these diseases,” the team added, in a statement.
“The more people we get to take on the challenge and our beautiful sport, the better!”
The challenge follows in the footsteps of the team’s crypto art jersey worn on stage at Tour de France, which highlighted some facts around obesity and diabetes, as well as the positive effect sports, such as cycling, can have on reducing risks associated with these diseases.
Interested individuals can become part of the challenge by joining the Bahrain Victorious club on the Strava social fitness platform.
To be part of the prize draw every week, each individual needs to track 30 minutes of physical activity every day, with draws to be held on August 16, 23 and 30, as well as September 6.
The activity records must be set to ‘public’ so that the team can contact winners at the end of every week. Organisers are also encouraging participants to share their progress using #BVICTORIOUS30 on social media.
Participants can win a number of prizes including a Merida Scultura bicycle frame, signed ALÉ jersey, Elite SUITO T interactive turbo trainer and signed F1 merchandise offered by Bahrain International Circuit.
“Statistics show that by completing 30 minutes of exercise a day, you can significantly reduce the risk of obesity and type 2 diabetes,” the team added.
Since 1975, obesity has tripled worldwide, and one in 11 people has diabetes. In Bahrain, preliminary data in the most recent survey, conducted in 2018, revealed that obesity has increased.
Prevalence of obesity among adolescents and children in Bahrain stands at 26 per cent amongst girls and 22pc in boys, according to the latest report issued by the World Health Organisation.
The report, published on the Health Ministry’s website, revealed that 40pc of students are obese and overweight and 23pc suffer from laziness and physical inactivity.
The latest nationwide statistics, showed that 72.6pc of the adult population was obese and 65.9pc overweight. Obese women accounted for 40.3pc compared with 32.3pc men, while more men were overweight, accounting to 34.8pc against 31.1pc women.
Obesity is one of the leading risk factors for several chronic conditions including diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol and other diseases.
- Visit https://bahraincyclingteam.com/vueltachallenge/ for more details.
naman@gulfweekly.com
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