DUBAI: Obesity is not a matter of opinion, it is a medical fact and we should all pause for a moment and think about the implications of a generation of children who are overeating, dosing up on sugar and living increasingly sedentary lifestyles.
More than 36 percent of children aged between five and 17 in the UAE are clinically obese, according to the latest World Health Organization figures. In Saudi Arabia, recorded data shows 23 percent and 9.3 percent of school-age children are overweight and obese respectively, according to a study published by the King Saud bin Abdualziz University for Health Sciences. The trend is global, but with a challenging summer climate, the region has unique challenges in promoting a year-round active lifestyle.
Know the enemy
What is obesity? From a medical perspective, it is defined as excess adipose tissue (or fatty deposits), causing a person’s Body Mass Index (BMI) to score very high on the scale. But it is less about the numbers and more about the consequential health concerns, since almost all of our internal organs are adversely impacted by being overweight.
Obesity means that blood flow is restricted to the brain, increasing the risk of strokes; type 2 diabetes can lead to eyesight issues; additional strain on the heart muscle will ultimately lead to heart disease; and dozens of other complications can arise. Simply put, allowing kids to reach obesity diminishes their chance of a long and healthy adult life — but the risks can be avoided.
Get ready for battle
It is one thing to understand the health concerns, but motivating kids to live a more active and healthy lifestyle is easier said than done. For expert advice, we turned to Marcus Smith, former rugby pro and the founder of Dubai-based InnerFight, a gym and fitness community that has been transforming lives in the UAE since 2008. Smith also recently launched a program for UAE-based kids to develop their physical and mental fitness.
Q: Some kids might feel insecure about joining a gym or a sports team. Are there any tips you can share for getting started?
A: As humans, we are often nervous about new environments and this is totally normal. We have to adopt the mindset that new environments often lead to our development and more enjoyment in life. At first, things will be tough, but it will always be worth it.
Of course, if we have been wrapped up in cotton wool all of our lives then the discomfort of these new environments is going to be very intimidating. This is why I think kids need to be involved in sports from the minute they can walk, so that this great environment becomes their norm. If you have been inactive then you need to start slowly and safely and this is where the right coaching comes into play.
Q: Parents should set an example for their children. How can we reach the older generation and teach them how to be more responsible?
A: In my opinion, adults are actually the root cause of the obesity problems we see today. We have become a society that rewards effort with food and we have become a society that accepts the aggressive marketing of foods that ultimately cause obesity. Like it or not, parents can choose to have 100 percent control over what their kids eat. However, some choose to shun that responsibility and they themselves are a terrible physical example.
We attempt to mirror what we see in our parents for the most part … so if we see them eating poorly, we immediately think that it is ok. If we see them being overweight, we believe it is fine too. The responsibility belongs to the parents and sadly many of them are dropping the ball and allowing their children to reach obese states and, in doing so, negatively impacting their lives.
Q: Do you have any transformation stories? We would love to hear one!
A: Yes, four years ago an Emirati guy brought his brother to me — he was 12-years-old and heavily overweight. Due to his weight issues, his school had told him he was not allowed to play sports anymore. It blew my mind. I immediately put the kid into the InnerFight Intisaar program, which helps Emirati youths participate in sports. Fast forward four years and just a few weeks ago, that same kid rode his bike 85 kilometers with me.
What did we do to the kid? We included him in a safe and fun environment, taught him how much of a positive impact sport can have on our lives by letting him experience it safely firsthand and started to educate him about what food choices he should be making. We then started to set goals and guide him toward them. It was not plain sailing all the way through, it has been a journey, but right now we are looking at a 16-year-old kid who sees life in a very different way.
Where to fight in Saudi Arabia and the UAE
Fitness First
Location: Across the UAE and Saudi Arabia
They say: “Classes for the whole family and kids of all ages, from pool activities, dance and educational classes to martial arts, performing arts and yoga. Sports activities and XFit for kids are also available at selected clubs.”
We say: A well-established gym with a huge range of activities for kids and families.
www.uae.fitnessfirstme.com/train-with-us/kids
Fitness Time Junior
Location: Across Saudi Arabia
They say: “Fitness Time Junior is a special sports and fitness center designed for children and young adults between the ages of six and 15.”
We say: A great range of sports as well as air hockey and foosball for an increased social element.
www.fitnesstime.com.sa/english/our-clubs/fitness-time-junior
My Gym Children’s Fitness Center
Location: Panorama Mall, Riyadh
They say: “My Gym has developed an extraordinary program and facility devised to help children develop physically, cognitively and emotionally.”
We say: Children will have fun maintaining their health while developing social skills, confidence and self-esteem.
www.mygym.com/riyadh
InnerFight Intisaar
Location: Al Quoz, Dubai
They say: “The InnerFight Intisaar foundation is a community project that gives Emirati youths an opportunity to use physical and mental fitness to make them better at life.”
We say: The best option for intense workouts with world-class coaches — but only for teens and older.
www.innerfight.com/intisaar
Little Gladiators
Location: Palm Jumeirah, Dubai
They say: “The first-of-a-kind, all-in-one kid’s fitness center in the UAE.”
We say: Affordable and fun with gymnastics, wall climbing, swimming and even a spa. It is, however, better for younger children.
www.littlegladiators.ae
My First Gym
Location: Downtown Abu Dhabi
They say: “My First Gym’s mission is to take care of the minds, bodies and souls of our families, parents and children.”
We say: Get them started young! My First Gym has programs for toddlers, with field trips and opportunities for hosted birthday parties.
www.myfirstgym.com/
Fighting fit: How young kids can battle obesity
Fighting fit: How young kids can battle obesity
Turkiye applies to have doner kebab protected under EU law
- Meat-based dish could join the likes of Champagne, Serrano ham if approved
- Bloc can apply protections based on heritage value, ingredients, method of production
LONDON: Turkiye has applied to have the doner kebab protected under EU law, Metro newspaper reported.
The bloc famously enforces strict regulations on certain foods — including French Champagne, Spanish Serrano ham and Neapolitan pizza — in order to safeguard their production and preserve regional culinary heritage.
Issues including the sourcing of ingredients, method and place of production all go into determining what can and cannot be labeled as a protected food, with harsh penalties for those found to be profiting from items deemed not to match the legal criteria.
The doner kebab will undergo a three-month evaluation process to determine whether it too will join the exclusive list of dishes and foodstuffs.
During the process, other countries will be permitted to challenge the application over similarities to their own products, as happened in 2021 when Italy voiced opposition to the Croatian sparkling wine Prosek receiving protected status due to its apparent similarities to Prosecco.
Traditionally formed of meat marinated in salt, pepper, a number of other herbs and spices as well as tomato puree and yoghurt, the doner kebab can contain beef, lamb or chicken.
It is placed on a skewer and rotated against a fire, with thin strips sliced off and served in a flatbread or pitta with lettuce, tomato and onion.
Beef and lamb slices should be 3-5 mm in thickness, while chicken should be thinner at 1-3 mm per slice.
The dish is believed to be worth around $3.6 million annually to Europe’s economy, according to the Association of Turkish Doner Producers.
Where We Are Going Today: Sawada cafe in Riyadh
Sawada cafe is located in a plaza overlooking Olaya Street, Riyadh, making it an ideal getaway from the bustle of the city.
The coffee shop offers specialty coffees and desserts, but what sets it apart is its ambiance, with a bohemian-influenced interior design style, soft lighting, and decorative wheat plants lining the walls of the seating area.
Eclectic paintings from Saudi artists are displayed on the walls, providing an artistic touch.
Sawada is ideal for those looking for a quiet and calm spot to relax with friends. It is also good for studying or working — if you can ignore the light, ambient music playing in the background.
Various seating areas are available, including booths bordering the walls and benches overlooking the barista area. A designated smoking area with seating is well separated from nonsmokers sitting indoors.
Customers can also grab their coffees and head to the outdoor seating area or take a walk on the path outside the cafe.
With so many coffee shops and cafes opening in Riyadh, it can be difficult finding authenticity when it comes to coffee beans. But Sawada’s quality is revealed in its V60 drink, a pour-over coffee that highlights the subtle and smooth flavors of the beans.
The menu is standard, with many local favorites, including Spanish latte, flat white, cortado, cappuccino, and tea. Iced tea, an ideal thirst quencher in Riyadh’s summer heat, is also available.
Sawada offers a variety of desserts that can be paired with coffee, including pecan tart, classic date cake, croissants, sweet bars made out of dates, and toffee crumble.
Our recommended options are the chocolate cookies, the classic cheesecake, and the San Sebastian cake. A Snickers and Ferrero Rocher cake also looked appetizing.
We tried the matcha, but the large amount of milk overpowered the flavors of the tea. We recommend trying the signature or Spanish latte instead.
For updates and more information, check Instagram @sawada.ksa.
Where We Are Going Today: ‘Jon & Vinny’s restaurant in Riyadh
- The atmosphere and decoration of the restaurant are standard, with wooden bench-style seating and walls decorated using pizza boxes
Los Angeles-based Italian restaurant Jon & Vinny’s has opened a location in Riyadh serving pizza, pasta, desserts and coffee.
Located in Al-Sulimaniyah, the Italian restaurant has four locations in the US, all in California: Fairfax, Brentwood, Slauson and Beverly Hills.
The Riyadh restaurant features a more casual laid-back dining experience as opposed to other Italian restaurants in the Saudi capital that offer a more refined dining atmosphere.
If you are looking for a luxury restaurant for a quiet date night, this is not the best option, but if you are searching for a trendy hang-out spot, Jon & Vinny’s is suitable for you.
The atmosphere and decoration of the restaurant are standard, with wooden bench-style seating and walls decorated using pizza boxes.
The restaurant founders, Jon Shook and Vinny Dotolo, attended the grand opening in Riyadh on April 17, saying that their mission is to offer authentic food that captures traditional Italian flavors.
The prices on the menu are average, with dishes ranging from SR65-75 ($17-20).
The menu offers a wide variety of pizzas, from “The Rosy,” a tomato and olive oil pizza with parmesan, to the “The Lola,” with fresh burrata, tomato, basil olive oil and a dash of sea salt.
One thing to note is that the pizza is quite authentic compared to other options in the city. The pizza crust is crispy, light and airy, allowing the freshness of the tomatoes and herbs to shine through.
Unlike other Italian restaurants, Jon and Vinny’s also offers different options for crust dips, such as ranch, garlic, buffalo, creamy Italian, pomodoro and olive oil.
In terms of drinks, the options on the menu include juices, soft drinks and caffeinated beverages such as americanos, cappuccinos and other coffee.
You may try the house-made lemonade, which is refreshing but a bit on the sour side. It is definitely great for guests looking for something tangy and refreshing for the Saudi summer heat.
For pasta options, you can try the pesto pasta, known on the menu as the pesto parmigiano oregano. The pasta is perfectly cooked al dente and the sauce is tasty but nothing new or innovative.
The lemon pasta and the spicy fusilli are the two highlight dishes of the restaurant.
When it comes to meat, there are limited choices on the menu. You may try the braised meatballs with ricotta and garlic bread.
The meatballs are very flavorful and seasoned well, with the flavors of the spices in the meatballs complimenting the simple and fresh red sauce.
The garlic bread which is offered with the meatballs is a bit on the charred side.
Another notable option on the menu is the Caesar salad with cheese sticks.
The freshness and quality of the ingredients shine through in the simple dishes.
The restaurant is very trendy and social-media friendly. The wall of Jon and Vinny’s pizza boxes is the perfect backdrop for photos.
Although the restaurant is small, it does offer an open-style kitchen where guests can approach the kitchen area and see the chefs cooking each meal.
For dessert, the restaurant offers a variety of sweets, including cheesecake and chocolate cake.
You will find the staff incredibly friendly.
Jon & Vinny’s offers breakfast, lunch and dinner, and is open from 8 a.m. to midnight.
Renowned London restaurant and Emirati fashion label launch t-shirt collection
DUBAI: Acclaimed Persian restaurant Berenjak Dubai, hailing from London, has joined forces with Shabab Intl. to launch a range of stylish t-shirts.
In sleek black, the t-shirts – now on sale at the restaurant – feature a Berenjak-inspired print on the back. The logos of both the restaurant and Shabab Intl. are depicted on the front.
Images for the launch campaign were shot by Dubai creative Cheb Moha, who leads the fashion label.
“We’re thrilled to be at Berenjak,” he told Arab News. “Personally, I am a huge fan and make it a point to dine there at least once especially when I’m in London.”
Moha’s deep appreciation for Berenjak stems from an enduring passion for Persian cuisine and cultural heritage, he said.
“Having Shabab there is particularly special for us, and I am confident that it will open doors for more collaborations. With our Shabab community present, it is exciting for them to witness this crossover between our origins and the spaces we inhabit at the restaurant. We are thrilled to stand alongside Berenjak and to have Shabab represented there.”
Moha added his t-shirt designs aimed for simplicity and clarity.
“I wanted to incorporate our identity with Berenjak’s identity and the identity of (the) city we are in, which is Dubai,” he said.
“If you notice, the graphic on the back of the t-shirt is sort of sun shaped. That is part of the Shabab spirit, the sunrise. And if you look in the windows, Berenjak also has a sun motif in the glass. I wanted to incorporate that and feel like there is a nice synergy between both brands.”
Moha also feels there is a crossover between fashion and food. “I feel like there’s always been a pipeline between both. They do complement each other in some way,” he said.
Berenjak, founded by chef Kian Samyani and award-winning London restaurant group JKS Restaurants, is a renowned Persian restaurant that has made its mark by bringing a contemporary twist to classic dishes.
Where We Are Going Today: Kaak Al-Farah
Kaak Al-Farah — which translates as “the cookie of joy” — is an Instagram shop that offers kaak, a traditional date-filled treat enjoyed in Saudi Arabia and other Middle Eastern countries.
A cherished part of celebrations such as Eid Al-Fitr, Eid Al-Adha, weddings and baby showers, kaak are similar to maamoul cookies, which include semolina.
Kaak Al-Farah makes each cookie with care, using ornate molds to shape the date-stuffed dough. After baking, the cookies are packed in a beautiful reusable box.
Made from locally sourced ingredients, including wheat, dates and traditional Saudi flavors such as cardamom and cloves, each bite is a celebration of the region’s rich culinary heritage.
What makes Kaak Al-Farah stand out is not just the delightful taste of the cookies but also the thoughtful packaging which reflects the essence of Saudi culture.
The round box features designs redolent of the joyful spirit found in Saudi communities, including a cheerful ring of colorful flowers symbolizing happiness and beauty and a portrait of a lady representing peace and love. Added to each box is a personalized greeting card.
Kaak Al-Farah delivers to various cities throughout the Kingdom and can be found on delivery apps including The Chefz and Hayak.
For more information, visit their Instagram profile — @kaak.alfarah.
