JEDDAH — The United Nations Ambassador for Peace and Children Princess Doaa Bint Mohammed has initiated a survey, based on a questionnaire, regarding the number of adolescents partaking in various sports activities in a week. The survey saw nearly 2,500 Twitter followers of her Twitter page @PrincessDoaaKSA participating and the opinion of the respondents were varied. Most of the respondents agreed on the need to exercise once in a week — which is nearly 42%. The polling showed the significance of exercise in a teen's life, while the normal time spent by teenagers exercising via various sports activity is 60 minutes a day. On the other hand, the survey results showed that 28% exercise daily, while the proportion of people exercising three times a week is 20%, and the lowest number of people exercising twice a week is 10%. Princess Doaa appealed to parents to encourage their children to follow healthy lifestyles and set aside time for exercise, which will lower triglycerides, cholesterol and improve mood. She added, "Exercise helps to relieve anger and improve mood through the production of endorphins, which helps a person to feel happy, burns calories, helps adolescents avoid weight gain, and also protects against the risk of diseases such as type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure, which has become more prevalent among teenagers." In conjunction with the approach of the new school year, the subject of school sports and their activation and attention is very important, as it is the responsibility of schools to provide appropriate facilities for the various exercise and sports activities. The famous saying "Healthy mind in a healthy body" demonstrates the importance of sports in enhancing the mental abilities of students and the significance of incorporating sports and physical activities during the school days. Schools should spread awareness regarding the importance of sports, and various exercise related activities among students and teachers, and to correct misconceptions about the negative impact of exercise on level of academic performance. Princess Doaa also highlighted the importance of using social media in awareness campaigns on child and women related issues, which is a cornerstone of the new digital era. Princess Doaa poses several questions and discusses them with the followers, and she also provides information that will increase awareness in the community. Princess Doaa is the wife of Prince Mohammed Bin Abdullah Bin Turki Al Saud, one of the most prominent pioneers in community work, charity, humanitarian and influential figure in the Arab world, and the ambassador of peace for children and youth from the United Nations. She is also the Supreme Head of the Arab Women Foundation, Ambassador of Peace and Human Rights and Goodwill Ambassador for Humanitarian Action and Sustainable Development from the Arab Dream Foundation. She is the owner and founder of the Friends Zone Academy, Planning and Development Consultant, Effective Contributions for the betterment of Orphans and the Elder aged people, Women and Children and building Community relations for Sustainable Development and taking Charitable Initiatives.
