UAE Women Risk Poor Health By Placing Families’ Needs Ahead Of Their Own, Reveals Survey

Nancy Ajram urges women to make bone health a priority

Three in five UAE women place their family’s health ahead of their own, despite half admitting their own health is average or poor, reveals a new consumer survey.

The survey, commissioned by Anlene, also showed:
• Women aged 41-50 are the least likely (19%) to exercise daily, compared with 35% of men in the same age bracket.
• Less than half (45%) are aware of what the recommended daily calcium intake is.
• Only a third of women are exposed to sunlight – a natural source of Vitamin D – for the required 20 minute period a day.

Ahead of International Women’s Day, Anlene and bone health advocate, Nancy Ajram, says this could be putting women at risk of poor bone health and called on UAE women to be aware of this important health issue.

“As a mother I understand how having children changes your priorities in life. They become the most important people to you and therefore looking after your long-term health can take a back seat. I struggled with this when I had my daughters so I am learning to take time out to remember to eat healthy and try to exercise regularly. By looking after your own health, you are setting a good example to your children as well.

“All women should be concerned about their bone health and need to start incorporating weight-bearing exercise into their routine, try and get some daily sun exposure and add ingredients high in calcium and vitamin D into their diet. In addition, supplementing their diet – whether they are in their twenties or forties – with a nutrient-rich milk powder such as Anlene will really help their bones to protect themselves in the future,” says Nancy.

The survey also revealed that more than half of the women surveyed aged 41 to 50 have a serious concern about developing a stoop later in life, which is one of the consequences of deteriorating bone health.

Anlene Ambassador Board member, Dr Humeira Badsha, from the Dr Humeira Badsha Medical Center in Dubai, says bone-related diseases such as osteoporosis can have an impact on a person’s physical appearance.

“Many people think that their bones are concrete, permanent and unchanging. In fact, our bones are living tissues which break down and regenerate. We have a completely new skeleton every 7-10 years but once we reach 30, our bones can begin to break down faster than they can rebuild themselves.

“It’s important for all women, even those in their 20s, to maintain good diet and exercise habits so they can continue to enjoy physical activity or look after their families later in life. Good bone health is essential for people to stay fit and active and continue doing the things they love – whether that’s looking after family, playing with your children or simply going for a walk.”

Emirate:  Dubai

Date: Mar 7, 2013

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