Many ways to shed weight

Diet is as important as exercise to lose wight, readers say. Other topics: Sharjah bachelors, property, child abuse, Irish tourist

While exercise is important, what we eat has the biggest impact when it comes to losing weight, readers say. Lee Hoagland / The National

With reference to the article Shedding pounds for a better life (August 20), one way to avoid a sedentary lifestyle may also be to do household chores. It's never a good idea to spend time in shopping malls. Work not only ennobles a person, it helps him to be in shape.

Marinella Fogli, Abu Dhabi

While young people seem to be more active these days and aware of their health, it’s important that they take care of their diet. I have seen many people who regularly exercise but maintain their usual eating habits.

There is, in fact, no point for a person to do exercise if they cannot control their diet. I think the next stage of health education should be to highlight this issue.

Manoj Khandelwal, Dubai

Gesture of Irish tourist is heart-warming

I refer to the story Passenger takes his driver for a ride at Ferrari World (August 21). Reacting to the kind gesture of a tourist, Jesse Vargas, general manager at Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, said: "We were very touched by the story and we wanted to recognise this great act of kindness." How about opening the park a couple of times a year for labourers?

Jeffrey Martin, Abu Dhabi

Ferrari World could offer a free pass to every taxi driver bringing in tourists to Ferrari World and perhaps a meal voucher too.

Evelyn Sapalicio Cruz, The Philippines

Liam Murphy, the Irish tourist, is a great person. The world needs more people like him.

Maria Anastasiou, Cyprus

Know about your property

In reference to the article Ras Al Khaimah tenant and landlord disagree on rent cap (August 20), the two-year ban on re-renting applies only to eviction for personal use. If the owner of a property doesn't end up selling the property, his only option is to move in himself. If he brings in a new tenant, and the old tenant discovers this and files a claim at the Rental Dispute Centre, then the tenant would probably be awarded 12 months worth of rent as compensation.

Majdel Musa, Dubai

Abused children need our help

How people can hurt their children is beyond my understanding (Fathers ‘most often’ children’s abusers, August 20). We need to do all we can to protect them from their abusers. But the problem is this: how do we know that a child has been abused? Also, how do we know that a child is scared of his family members? I think an alert member of society can easily read the telltale signs in a child.

Teachers can play a very important role in this. I only wish we had clear guidelines on how to help children in such situations without making too much noise.

Brigitte von Bulow, Abu Dhabi

Be kind to the ‘bachelors’

Regarding the news item Single men to be moved out of area (August 24), it is great that such workers are given the opportunity to live in an area and integrate with the local community at reasonable rent rates, but to then treat them this way is very disrespectful. These people are just working hard (arguably harder than anyone else in the city) and just want a peaceful life.

My point is that people should be treated fairly. There is no need for poor excuses as to why they should be evicted. If there are so many “problems”, why haven’t the police dealt with them?

Chris Davies, Hong Kong

The term “bachelor” is dehumanising. Most of these people support their wives and children back in their home countries. Many true “bachelors” support their mothers and sisters back home. These men earn modest wages, most of which they send back home. The little enjoyment they can afford is playing cricket.

Chris Reid, Abu Dhabi