Qatar is the sixth fattest country in the world, and with temperatures topping 100 degrees six months out of the year, it’s no surprise health officials have launched an indoor mall walking program.

 

In the small country of Qatar, said to be the richest country in the world, citizens are suffering from one of the most rampant obesity crises of all time. The government has launched a new program for its citizens to find a way to exercise during the summers that normally hit 120 degrees. The program, which encourages shopping and exercising simultaneously, is called, "Step Into Health: Walk More, Walk the Mall." All major malls are participating by opening the halls two hours before and after regular store hours and supplying shoppers with maps of prearranged walking routes along with caloric-burning breakdowns.

 

According to a promotional brochure handed out to mall patrons, "mall walking is the perfect workout, alongside controlled temperatures; it provides a clean and safe environment to exercise."

 

According to the "Step Into Health" program's website, the goal is for each person to walk 10,000 steps or more each day in a "non-competitive, recreational, and social way."

 

Regardless, the mall-walking kickoff was announced as a big success with roughly 1,000 people showing up to participate, according to the government-controlled press. Pedometers and handouts were given, along with free raffles of iPhones, laptops, and other prizes.

 

Qatar isn't the only country facing serious health problems. Its neighboring energy-rich countries like Kuwait, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates have also seen an increase in obesity, diabetes, and genetic illnesses in the last 50 years.