Degayeg Initiative Launched By DCD And DoH To Promote Daily Physical Activity In Abu Dhabi

The Department of Community Development - Abu Dhabi (DCD), in partnership with the Department of Health - Abu Dhabi (DoH), has introduced "Degayeg," an initiative to motivate people to include physical activity in their daily lives. This effort highlights the importance of exercise for maintaining health and preventing non-communicable diseases (NCDs). It encourages everyone to integrate short bursts of movement into their routines, whether at home, work, or school.

Degayeg aims to create a sustainable change in daily habits by making physical activity a natural and enjoyable part of life. The initiative seeks to increase awareness about the benefits of regular exercise, promoting overall well-being. A variety of community activities will be held throughout Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, and Al Dhafra this year. These events cater to different ages and abilities, including walks, stretching exercises, group activities, family sports events, and youth programs.

Mohamed Helal Al Balooshi, Executive Director of the Community Engagement and Empowerment Sector at DCD, stated: "The Degayeg initiative reflects our commitment to enhancing quality of life in Abu Dhabi by fostering a more active, healthy, and connected community. It encourages individuals to dedicate just a few minutes of their day to movement - whether through walking, light exercises, or community participation. These simple steps can make a remarkable difference in a person’s health, happiness, and engagement with society."

Dr. Ahmed AlKhazraji from the Department of Health emphasised the initiative's role in promoting a culture of movement. He said: "This initiative marks an important step in fostering a culture of movement and empowering everyone in the emirate to lead longer, healthier, and more fulfilling lives. To make meaningful progress and realize the emirate’s vision of becoming one of the world’s healthiest and most active cities, we must continue championing efforts like this - initiatives that are genuinely rooted in the needs of our communities."

The World Health Organisation (WHO) advises adults to engage in 150 minutes of moderate physical activity weekly for better health. Evidence shows that even moderate exercise can enhance cardiovascular health and mental well-being while reducing chronic NCD risks. DCD's third Abu Dhabi Sports and Physical Activity Survey indicates improved physical activity levels across the emirate.

Positive Trends in Physical Activity

Survey results reveal that those meeting WHO's activity recommendations have increased from 36% initially to 53% recently. Additionally, 12.5% of children now engage in at least 60 minutes of daily activity. These findings highlight the success of community initiatives like Degayeg in encouraging residents to incorporate daily movement into their lifestyles.

Residents can explore weekend events through DCD's digital platforms @DCDAbuDhabi by choosing activities that fit their age and fitness level. All Abu Dhabi residents are invited to join these efforts towards building a healthier community focused on well-being and connection.

Degayeg is designed as an open invitation for everyone to adopt healthy habits for an active lifestyle. By increasing physical activity levels among individuals, it aims to foster a more health-conscious community committed to long-term wellness goals.

With inputs from WAM