The Ministry of Health is also introducing ‘Saudi Walks’ to mark the country’s first National Day of Walking

The Ministry of Health (MoH) has launched a new Kingdom-wide health awareness campaign: Walk 30. The new campaign aims to get people walking 30 minutes per day, five days a week, in order to improve their overall health and well-being.

‘Walk 30’ includes a range of activities in schools, universities and local communities which are being held over a period of four months to incentivize people to get up and get walking. It includes a ‘Walk Challenge’ which encourages participants to record a minimum step count of 8,000 per day on a mobile application. It has the added incentive of a monthly prize draw for up to 50 entrants who achieve the daily step-count target.

The Ministry of Health is also introducing ‘Saudi Walks’ on March 5, 2020, to mark Saudi Arabia’s first National Day of Walking. Walking events will be held across all regions of the Kingdom to promote walking as a fun, healthy activity and encourage more people to get involved.

Walking is an essential activity for overall health and fitness. It is one of the easiest and more affordable ways to maintain a healthy lifestyle and can also help improve mental health and well-being. Under Vision 2030, the Ministry of Health aims to raise life expectancy in Saudi Arabia from 74 to 80; increasing walking levels across all ages and sectors of society is an important first step towards achieving that goal.

Related: Saudi SFA’s Family-focused Get Active Tuesdays attracting hundreds each week in Jeddah