Dr. Adeyemi Awopetu, the associate professor of physiology at the department of Human Kinetics and Health Education, University of Lagos (UNILAG), has said that people who are inactive are more susceptible to hypertension and obesity.
Awopetu, who spoke at the breakfast Wellbeing Interaction Programme held at the MUSON Centre, Lagos, recently, recommended regular exercise for everybody, especially top corporate executives and high profile civil servants, who hardly have time because of their busy schedule.
Awopetu said sedentary lifestyle or physical inactivity, which comes with occupying high office, has been confirmed to be the reason for several ailments such as high blood pressure and obesity, which constitute health hazards. He recommended what he called ‘Desk exercises’.
This, according to him, are exercises that could be done while sitting. “Desk exercise can be used for transportation purposes, while at the same time used to keep fit. Apart from that, the other form of exercise is stretching. Stretching is a natural exercise.”
Director, First Cardiology Consultant, Ikoyi, Dr Kofo Ogunyankin, who took the guests on wellbeing talk, listed a few health hazards such as tobacco intake, physical inactivity; alcohol abuse, which he added poses danger to the genetic encoded life expectancy of 125 year, as against what is obtainable in the country.
Chief Executive Officer, Corporate/Leisure, Biodun Jaji appealed to the guests to take out time to recreate.
He said: “What Nigerians do when they travel abroad is not leisure. Going to stay in a sister’s house, brother’s house; that’s not leisure. Corporate/Leisure are the people who give leisure experience, so you just need to work with us. Please take some time out to recreate. You can go on tour, cruising, safari.”
Ms Inge Cross, an international cruise consultant, CI Services Africa, representative of Royal Carribean and Celebrity Cruises for Africa, said a cruise is great way of holidaying.
She said: “It’s about relaxation and there is no better way to do this than cruising. It is ideal for family, couple, children and all ages. It’s full of great benefit. And you can cruise all year round”.
She identified misconceptions about cruising such as being stuck in one place for the duration, sea sickness, nothing to do, too expensive, dress code and too formal.
Mrs Cross gave a surprise cruising package to one of the lucky guests, Dr. Charles Akindayo.
At the event was the special guest of honour, Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Mrs Adejoke Orelope Adefulire, who was represented by Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Femi Olugbile; Head of Civil Service, Lagos State, Mr. Segun Ogunlewe; permanent secretaries from Ministry of Women Affairs, and Youth and Development; Chairman, Lagos Pension Commission, Tunde Dabiri, among others.
Thank you Dr. Awopetu for the brilliant presentation and recommendation. Exercise is very good for the body most especially those who are prone to obese and inactive individuals. For Nigerians, a word is enough for the wise. This will reduce sudden death that popularly called ‘heart attack’ among the populace.
Yea, this is one are we all need to do more at. I see a cruise in my future!