Saudi Gazette Being fit does not only make one smart and healthy, it also makes one feel cheerful and beautiful from within. In order to encourage women to adopt a healthy lifestyle, students of King Faisal University in Al-Ahsa organized a “Be an Active Woman” exhibition. They had creatively set up booths to attract visitors to offer them all the latest information in the world of health. Regular exercise reduces the incidence of heart disease, diabetes, cancer, obesity, and even depression. The Ministry of Health also participated in this ‘healthy' campaign by setting up a stall in the exhibition where health professionals took note of each visitor's blood pressure, height, weight, and body mass index. A registered dietician was also available to advise visitors and participants on healthy diets for those who wished to lose or gain weight. Faculty member, Hanan Bint Saleh Al-Muslim, praised the students' efforts and said, “The students enthusiastically worked very hard and prepared posters, brochures, and other visual aids to help spread awareness on the benefits of regular exercise. They even served visitors delicious, nutritious snacks. The medical students set up a corner that showed women how to be active physically and mentally, and emotionally.” Students of pharmacology department had set up an interesting stall wherein they stressed on the importance of physical exercise which strengthens the body's immune system. They offered adequate information on how to choose the right physical exercise for the body, depending upon one's blood type. For example, those with O blood type require vigorous physical exercise to lose weight like aerobics, jogging, climbing stairs, martial arts, competitive sports, and skating. For A Blood type individuals moderate and low impact activities like swimming, dance, stretching, yoga, golf, and brisk walking are recommended. The information technology department dedicated their corner to the health of pregnant women. They advised gentle exercise during pregnancy as it can help ward off common yet avoidable discomforts like excess weight gain, back pain, constipation, hemorrhoids, and ease the labor pains, too. There is no need to spend enormous amounts of money on expensive and complicated exercising equipments. A good pair of running shoes is all you need buy to take a 45 minute walk around the neighborhood or on the premises of the university. To all the women out there, include more physical activity in your daily life, take stairs instead of the elevator, park your car at a distance from your destination, and avoid spending long hours in front of the television or computer. __
