By Sumaila Ogbaje
Mrs Oghogho Musa, President, Defence and Police Officers’ Wives Association (DEPOWA), has urged barracks women to sustain the habit of keeping fit and healthy living.
Musa gave the charge on Saturday during the DEPOWA Monthly Aerobic Exercise themed, “Walk for Health” at the Mogadishu Cantonment in Abuja.
She said the exercise was borne out of the DEPOWA’s belief that people don’t necessarily need to register in a gym before they could exercise.
According to her, simply stepping out of your home and walking around your environment for about 30 minutes is already an effective exercise.
“The goal is to stay active. Move your legs, your hands, and your body until you sweat. If you can’t do it every day, at least three times a week will go a long way.
“It helps burn fat, reduce stress, lower blood pressure and even reduce risks of certain illnesses, including some cancers. Regular activity keeps women healthy and strong,” she said.
The DEPOWA President also advised the women and the society at large to learn to dispose of waste properly with a view to maintaining a clean environment.
According to her, a clean environment means clean air and healthier life.
“Unfortunately, many of our drainages are blocked because people litter it with plastics, nylons and bottles that don’t decay.
“When it rains, this causes flooding. We all have a role to play.
“We must also train our children from an early age. If a child throws dirt on the ground, call them back to pick it. Next time they won’t repeat it.
“Leading by example is very important. If we continue to set good examples and correct our children early, we will raise a generation that values fitness and a clean environment,” she added.
Musa commended the women for their endurance during the walk, adding that they had made almost 9,000 steps during the long walk.
A resource person and a Public Health Expert, Dr Enobong Obot, urged women to pay closer attention to their heart health, warning that heart disease remains one of the leading causes of death among women globally.
Obong noted that many women often neglect their health while focusing on family and work responsibilities, stressing that prevention and lifestyle adjustments were crucial to reducing risks.
“The heart is like the engine of the body. It works every second, pumping blood and carrying life to every part of us. Yet, we tend to neglect it and pay more attention to our homes, children and work,” she said.
The physician identified major risk factors for heart disease as uncontrolled hypertension, diabetes, obesity, physical inactivity, stress, and high cholesterol levels.
She added that unlike men, women often present with different symptoms of heart problems, including dizziness, shortness of breath, fatigue, back or jaw pain.
According to her, this makes it important for women to be proactive about their health and seek early medical attention when such signs appear.
Offering practical tips, Obot advised women to adopt healthy eating habits, such as reducing salt, sugar, and processed foods, while eating more fresh meals, fruits and vegetables.
She also urged women to engage in at least 30 minutes of physical activity three times a week, noting that they did not need to go to the gym to stay fit.
Obot further called on women to stop smoking, reduce or eliminate alcohol intake, and make water their preferred drink.
She emphasised the importance of regular medical check-ups, recommending that women tie the date to birthdays, anniversaries or other memorable occasions to help them remember.
The health expert also reminded women that natural stages such as pregnancy, childbirth and menopause affect the heart, and family history could further increase their risk.
She encouraged mothers to set good examples for their children by keeping the environment clean and teaching them healthy lifestyle practices from an early age. (NAN)