‘Start Walking’ to prevent diabetes

‘Start Walking’ to prevent diabetes Olivia Olarte-Ulherr / 20 June 2013 A 30-minute brisk walk everyday can help, manage, reverse and even prevent diabetes. So, start walking. This was the message imparted by health and sports officials on Wednesday during the launch of ‘Start Walking’, a public health awareness campaign by the Imperial College London Diabetes Centre (ICLDC). Richard Cregan, Dr Maha Taysir Barakat, Suhail Al Ansari and Dr Michael Bitzer during the launch of the ‘Start Walking’ campaign in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday. — KT photo by Shoaib Anwer   Part of the ICLDC’s seventh ‘Diabetes-Knowledge-Action’ annual campaign, ‘Start Walking’ aims to encourage individuals, groups and organisations to hold mini-walks from now till November in the lead-up to Walk 2013 walkathon at Yas Marina Circuit on November 15, the day after World Diabetes Day. “Studies have shown that 150 minutes per week or 30 minutes per day of brisk walking can reduce the risk of Type 2 diabetes by 58 per cent. That’s a huge reduction and we recommend this for everybody,” said Dr Maha Taysir Barakat, director-general of Health Authority-Abu Dhabi (HAAD). According to 2012 figures from the International Diabetes Federation, the UAE ranked 11 th worldwide in the prevalence of diabetes with an estimated 18.9 per cent of the adult population (20-79 years) living with the disease. “A relative improvement,” said Dr Barakat, noting that the UAE at one stage was top two. She attributed this to the efforts and initiatives, both at the local and federal level, as well as the media in raising awareness at schools and improving the community’s lifestyle. “It’s a remarkable impact when there are concerted efforts,” she pointed out. She stated, however, that 18.9 per cent is still “far too high”, three times the normal average of six per cent diabetes prevalence worldwide. Thus, more efforts are needed to encourage people here to be fit and healthy. This means doing physical activity such as exercise, having a healthy diet, maintaining normal body weight, smoking cassation and cutting down on salt intake, among others. Walking events that have been scheduled as part of the campaign include a 3km brisk walk on the ICLDC premises in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain on June 24, and ‘Take the Stairs Day’ at Daman’s office and the ICLDC’s centres on July 1. “Let us encourage one another, take the steps. Park your car a bit further and walk. A healthier workforce translates to more productivity,” remarked Suhail Al Ansari, executive director of Mubadala Healthcare and Chairman of the ICLDC. At the Yas Marina Circuit, host venue for Walk 2013, TrainYAS and GoYAS fitness sessions on the track is being held weekly. “We too want more people to put on their walking shoes and join us each week. Talking while walking is a great, family-friendly way to catch up on your day and keep fit together,” said Richard Cregan, CEO of Abu Dhabi Motorsports Management. Noting the financial impact and the social implication of diabetes if action is not taken now, Dr Michael Bitzer, CEO of the National Health Insurance Company, Daman, stressed the “fun” factor in walking. “We do not only focus that walking is healthy, walking can be fun (too). Have fun, then you can do it everyday,” he said. Daman will be participating this year through its health and lifestyle programme ‘ActiveLife’. Coming events 3km walk on ICLDC premises in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain on June 24 ‘Take the Stairs Day’ at Daman’s office and the ICLDC’s centres on July 1 Walk 2013 at Yas Marina Circuit on November 15 olivia@khaleejtimes.com Taylor Scott International