ABSTRACT
The chapter offers a general overview about the narrative(s) on sport, health and physical activity in the Middle East and North Africa, with emphasis on the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). The Arab region is going through drastic changes (political, urban and socio-economic), which is impacting on people’s perception and needs to engage in sport and physical activity. This is particularly true in the GCC region. Countries such as Qatar and the UAE are implementing sport as a strategic component in their urban development and in repositioning their countries as hub for global sport culture (and consumption). Yet, the rapid urbanisation and sedentary life in combination with other factors such as decreased levels of physical activity and increased caloric intake has become responsible for the emerging of obesity in children and adolescents as a major public health issue in these countries. The chapter concludes with examples of programs and initiatives to promote physical activities, and to sensitise the population about the health benefits of physical activity, as well as the urgency to take actions against health related problems.
