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Cigna Insurance Middle East (CIME), a leading global health services company, said in a new report that the UAE is one of the healthiest countries in the world with a BMI score of 65.4 compared to the global average of 60.
Over the past four years, body index in the UAE has increased by almost 5 percentage points, which coincides with growth in a number of community fitness programmes, including Dubai’s annual Dubai Fitness Challenge, Abu Dhabi’s Active Parks and Forever Fit programs, and others Fitness campaigns in other emirates.
The Cigna white paper reiterates that while the physical index in the UAE has grown over the past four years, the global average has declined.This includes key global markets such as UK, Spain, US, Australia and China [which recorded a marginal rise from 63.5 to 63.9].
Interestingly, the white paper shows that the health status of Emirati women has improved – from a low physical fitness score of 59.2 in 2018, Emirati women will rise to 63.2 in 2022. Not only did Emirati women thus surpass the happiness index of global women (sliding to 58.2), but also global men at 61.7.
Jerome Droesch, CEO, Domestic Health and Wellness Services, Cigna International Markets, said in comments: “Since 2016, Cigna has been working to understand the health and wellbeing needs of the people of the UAE. We use historical findings from our annual Cigna 360 Health Survey to analyze Trends in “physical fitness” in the UAE and examine the contribution of various health and fitness programs undertaken by government authorities to improve overall physical health in the country. Cigna has collated the findings in a white paper revealing how people have Interesting insights into lifestyle changes over 6 years and their adoption of a healthier body and a well-being mindset.”
Droesch added: “The white paper identifies key aspects of the overall well-being of UAE women compared to men and women globally. Last month, we announced that the UAE is All aspects of well-being – physical, social, family, financial and work scored highest. Among other government measures to improve the quality of life of the people of the UAE, the improvement in the overall well-being index can also be attributed to such fitness-related initiatives across the emirates. “
The white paper also adds that more millennials in the UAE, or those in the 25-34 age group, believe they will be at a “healthy weight” in 2022 – 50% compared to 37% in 2020 , and are exercising “regularly” – about 40% now, compared to just 25% in 2020.
Another interesting finding from the white paper is that working parents with children studying in the UAE not only score higher than their global counterparts on physical fitness [66.7 compared to 64 globally]also beat parents who work in the UAE without children [65.3].
“Fitness programs across the UAE demonstrate the government’s commitment to promoting a more active lifestyle in the country. Backed by its world-class infrastructure, these initiatives directly and significantly contribute to making Dubai and the UAE a great place to live and work Cigna’s white paper certainly reinforces that,” Droesch added. – trade arab news agency
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