DOHA: Experts in the second edition of Weill Cornell Medical College in Qatar’s (WCMC-Q) ‘Ask the Expert’ series advised to follow easy steps to overcome unhealthy lifestyle habits.
Two experts in family medicine and behavioural science from US institutions asked people to identify strengths and opportunities to change unhealthy behaviours, seek out inspiration from appropriate religious and spiritual sources and make use of available community resources.
Also to find an exercise partner, reduce sugary sodas, drink lots of water and use a pedometer to encourage walking are successful strategies to combat obesity, they said. The seminar was held to help people struggling to overcome unhealthy lifestyle habits.
Dr Jeffrey Ring and Dr Robert Like explained techniques that can help individuals find motivation needed to break negative patterns of behaviour and embrace healthy lifestyles.
The series is part of WCMC-Q’s Sahtak Awalan: Your Health First campaign, a five-year initiative to encourage the expat and Qatari communities to make healthy lifestyle choices.
Dr Ring, Director of Behavioural Sciences and Cultural Medicine at White Memorial Medical Center, Los Angeles, said: “Embracing positive lifestyles will help improve your personal and family’s health and well-being.
The free seminar advised participants on how to get activated to make positive changes to behaviour, with a focus on healthy eating and weight loss.
Dr Ring and Dr Like recommended setting realistic goals, celebrating successes and becoming informed and enlightened about health issues to maintain motivation.
The seminar at the Diplomatic Club also advised attendees to practise mindful eating, whereby each individual allows himself or herself to acknowledge positive and nurturing opportunities available through careful food selection, as well as learning to become aware of physical hunger and satiety cues to guide decisions about when to begin and end eating.
Dr Like, Professor and Director, Center for Healthy Families and Cultural Diversity at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, said: “The good news is that there are many pathways to change ourselves, our bodies and health. These include patient activation, mindfulness approaches and identifying a partner in our efforts to make healthy lifestyle changes.” Future ‘Ask the Expert’ seminars will be held at the Diplomatic Club on May 12, September 10 and November 12, starting at 6pm and are open to the public. The Peninsula
