OASIS Foundation Webinar: Physician Urges Healthy Living to Prevent Chronic Diseases

A Consultant Family Physician, Dr Ibraheem AbdulRauf, has urged Nigerians to adopt healthier lifestyles, including balanced diets, regular physical activity, adequate sleep and routine medical screening, as part of efforts to prevent and control non-communicable diseases (NCDs).

AbdulRauf, who works at the Federal Teaching Hospital, Birnin Kebbi, said lifestyle changes remained important in reducing the risk of chronic illnesses such as cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, cancers and chronic respiratory diseases.

He made the recommendations while delivering a lecture titled “Promoting Healthy Lifestyles for the Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs)” at the fourth quarterly webinar health series organised by the OASIS Muslim Care Foundation (OMCF) on Sunday, October 11, 2026.

The physician explained that non-communicable diseases were generally chronic conditions that were not transmitted from one person to another but were influenced by a combination of genetic, physiological, environmental and behavioural factors.

According to him, the growing burden of these diseases has become a major public health concern because of their contributions to premature deaths, disabilities, reduced quality of life and rising healthcare costs.

He noted that NCDs could place considerable financial pressure on individuals and families because they often require long-term medication, regular medical appointments, laboratory investigations and hospital care.

The specialist also observed that chronic illnesses could reduce productivity, affect employment and increase dependence on family members, making prevention an important public health priority.

Unhealthy lifestyles increase disease risks

AbdulRauf identified unhealthy diets, physical inactivity, tobacco use and harmful alcohol consumption as major modifiable risk factors associated with non-communicable diseases.

He explained that these behavioural factors could contribute to metabolic conditions, including hypertension, overweight and obesity, elevated blood glucose and abnormal blood lipid levels, which increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases and diabetes.

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While acknowledging that some risk factors, such as age, sex, genetic constitution and family history, could not be modified, he stressed that individuals could reduce their exposure to many preventable risks through healthier daily habits.

He, however, emphasised that preventing NCDs should not be regarded solely as an individual responsibility, arguing that families, communities, healthcare providers and governments also had important roles to play.

According to the presentation, health promotion must go beyond providing information about diseases to creating social, economic and environmental conditions that make healthier choices easier and more affordable.

Physician advocates healthier diets

The consultant identified nutrition as one of the important determinants of health, warning that diets high in salt, free sugars, saturated fats and unhealthy processed foods could contribute to obesity, hypertension, diabetes and cardiovascular diseases.

He recommended diets containing adequate fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts and other nutrient-rich foods to support healthy body weight and reduce the risk of chronic illnesses.

AbdulRauf also highlighted the importance of reducing salt intake, explaining that excessive sodium consumption could raise blood pressure and increase the risk of heart disease and stroke.

He listed fruits such as apples, berries, oranges, bananas, pawpaw, watermelon and avocados among the options highlighted in the presentation, while spinach, broccoli, carrots, kale, tomatoes and sweet potatoes were included among the vegetables.

The physician also drew attention to whole-food, plant-based diets, describing them as an important component of strategies for preventing and managing chronic diseases.

He cited familiar Nigerian foods and meals that can form part of a plant-based diet, including moi moi, bean porridge, akara, okra soup, ewedu, gbegiri, brown rice, acha and unripe plantains.

Tiger nut milk, soya milk and groundnut milk were also listed as examples of plant-based drinks.

The presentation emphasised the importance of prioritising whole or minimally processed foods while limiting excessive consumption of refined sugars, unhealthy fats and sodium.

Regular exercise recommended

AbdulRauf identified physical inactivity as another major risk factor, noting that sedentary occupations, motorised transportation and prolonged screen time had contributed to lifestyles characterised by insufficient movement.

He explained that regular physical activity could reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases, type 2 diabetes, obesity and certain cancers while improving musculoskeletal health, cognitive function and general well-being.

According to the lecture, physical activity does not necessarily require expensive gym memberships or specialised equipment.

Walking, cycling, household activities, recreational sports and other forms of movement can help people become more physically active.

The presentation cited World Health Organisation recommendations that children and adolescents aged five to 17 should undertake at least 60 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity daily.

For adults aged 18 to 64, it recommended at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity throughout the week, or at least 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity activity, or an equivalent combination of both.

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It also recommended muscle-strengthening activities involving major muscle groups on at least two days a week for adults.

For people aged 65 and above, the presentation recommended similar weekly activity targets, alongside muscle-strengthening exercises on two or more days a week.

AbdulRauf also highlighted the need for families, schools, workplaces and communities to encourage active lifestyles by supporting walking, cycling, group exercises, recreational activities and workplace wellness programmes.

Tobacco, alcohol linked to serious health problems

The consultant warned that tobacco use remained an important preventable cause of disease and premature death, with smoking associated with cardiovascular diseases, chronic respiratory conditions and several cancers.

He also highlighted the dangers of second-hand smoke, noting that exposure could harm people who did not smoke themselves.

The lecture called for tobacco prevention and cessation support, smoke-free environments, public education and measures to discourage young people from initiating tobacco use.

On alcohol, AbdulRauf noted its association with cardiovascular diseases, liver disease and several cancers.

The presentation cited the World Health Organisation’s 2024 global report on alcohol and health, which estimated that alcohol contributed to approximately 2.6 million deaths worldwide in 2019.

It stressed the need for accurate public education on alcohol-related health risks, support for people experiencing alcohol-use problems and policies aimed at reducing harmful consumption.

Healthy weight, sleep and stress management

AbdulRauf also identified overweight and obesity as important metabolic risk factors for non-communicable diseases.

He explained that excess body weight was associated with increased risks of cardiovascular diseases, type 2 diabetes and certain cancers, adding that prevention should begin in childhood and continue throughout adulthood.

He stressed that healthy weight management should focus on health and physical functioning rather than appearance alone.

According to the lecture, sustainable weight management is supported by healthy eating, regular physical activity, adequate sleep and avoidance of harmful substances.

The physician further urged Nigerians to pay attention to mental well-being, stress management and sleep, noting that persistent stress could affect sleep patterns, dietary choices, physical activity and other health behaviours.

Relaxation techniques, social support, effective time management and recreational activities were among the strategies identified for supporting well-being.

The presentation also encouraged people experiencing persistent psychological distress to seek appropriate professional assistance.

Routine screening essential for early detection

The consultant emphasised that healthy lifestyle promotion should be complemented by regular health checks and early detection.

He explained that some non-communicable diseases could develop silently for years before symptoms became obvious, meaning that individuals might remain unaware of their conditions until complications occurred.

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He identified regular blood-pressure measurement, blood glucose assessment and appropriate screening based on age, sex, family history and other risk factors as important components of preventive healthcare.

The lecture also advocated cancer screening in line with nationally recommended guidelines and available evidence.

According to AbdulRauf, early detection could enable individuals to receive counselling, treatment and follow-up before diseases progressed to severe complications.

He further advised people already diagnosed with NCDs to take prescribed medications correctly and maintain regular contact with healthcare providers.

The presentation stressed that screening and lifestyle counselling should form part of routine primary healthcare services to improve prevention, early identification and long-term disease management.

Families, communities urged to support prevention

AbdulRauf called for a collective approach to NCD prevention, involving individuals, families, religious organisations, schools, workplaces, healthcare professionals and government institutions.

He explained that families could support healthier living by preparing nutritious meals, encouraging physical activity, maintaining smoke-free homes and helping members sustain positive behavioural changes.

Communities, he said, could organise health education programmes, physical activity initiatives, screening exercises and support groups.

Religious organisations, traditional institutions, community associations and civil society organisations were also identified as important partners in promoting healthy living.

The presentation encouraged healthcare professionals to integrate lifestyle counselling into routine consultations and use primary healthcare facilities for risk assessment, health education, screening, referral and follow-up.

At the policy level, it called for measures that promote healthier food environments, tobacco control, physical activity, clean air and accessible preventive healthcare.

It also identified poverty, limited access to nutritious foods, unsafe environments for exercise, inadequate health information, cultural beliefs, aggressive marketing of unhealthy products, long working hours and limited access to healthcare as barriers to adopting healthier lifestyles.

According to the lecture, addressing these challenges requires cooperation across sectors, including health, education, agriculture, transport, urban planning, finance and environmental management.

Practical steps for healthier living

The physician’s presentation outlined practical measures Nigerians could incorporate into their daily routines to reduce their risk of chronic diseases.

These include increasing the consumption of vegetables, fruits, legumes and whole grains; reducing excessive salt, sugar and unhealthy fats; engaging in regular physical activity; avoiding tobacco; and avoiding harmful alcohol consumption.

It also recommended maintaining a healthy weight, monitoring blood pressure and blood glucose as appropriate, managing stress, getting adequate sleep and participating in recommended preventive screening.

The lecture presented six pillars of lifestyle medicine under the acronym “DREAMS”: diet and nutrition, relationships, exercise, avoidance of risky substances, mental well-being and sleep hygiene.

The framework highlighted the importance of combining healthy eating and physical activity with positive social relationships, psychological well-being, adequate rest and avoidance of harmful substances.

The presentation also emphasised that healthy behaviours should be promoted throughout life, from childhood and adolescence to adulthood and old age.

Prevention described as shared responsibility

In its concluding message, the lecture stated that although genetic, environmental and social factors influence NCDs, many of their major risk factors could be modified through appropriate lifestyle choices and supportive public health interventions.

It stressed that the successful prevention and control of these diseases would require more than individual motivation, noting that people needed access to affordable nutritious foods, safe spaces for physical activity, appropriate healthcare services and supportive social environments.

The presentation called on governments to strengthen policies and health systems that support healthier food choices, physical activity, tobacco control, clean air and preventive healthcare.

It also urged healthcare professionals and community organisations to help translate health information into practical steps that individuals and families could sustain over time.

The central message of the webinar was that preventing non-communicable diseases requires a combination of personal responsibility, community participation, effective healthcare services and supportive public policies.

By encouraging healthier habits and improving access to prevention and early detection, the lecture noted, individuals and communities could work towards longer, healthier and more productive lives.

OASIS Foundation Webinar: Physician Urges Healthy Living to Prevent Chronic Diseases