ABU DHABI // Giant strides will be taken in the fight against one of the UAE’s most prevalent diseases at this year’s Walk for Diabetes – and not just by a former US basketball star.
As well as helping people to lead a fitter lifestyle, health professionals at this year’s 5 kilometre walk on Yas Island on November 7 will gather vital data on the nation’s well-being and waistline by taking the body mass index (BMI) of participants.
The information will then be compared to the national average, said Bashar Al Ramahi, chief executive of the Imperial College London Diabetes Centre. About 4,000 people have registered so far, with each contributing their BMI data. It is hoped that close to 20,000 will take part.
“We’re encouraging all participants to log in their height and weight and level of activity so we can calculate the BMI and see how that compares to the BMI of the nation,” said Dr Al Ramahi.
It is hoped the data will provide a vital insight into the battle against diabetes, which is believed to affect about one in five people in the UAE.
“In coming years, we hope to use more precise ways of doing this [data collection], but this is a step in the right direction,” said Dr Al Ramahi.
Former LA Lakers star Kareem Abdul Jabbar was also keen to lend his support to the event, which is part of Take A Step For Diabetes Week.
“I’m very concerned about what I see going on,” said the 67-year-old. “The rising number of people contracting diabetes over here is really alarming and there are so many things you can do to mitigate that.”
The 7ft 2in former basketball player, whose mother died of diabetes-related complications, said community initiatives are needed to encourage people to change their lives for the better.
“Health will add years to your life and life to your years,” he said. Adding more sports facilities such as basketball courts, skateboard parks and events and competitions, are key to making societal changes.
“I’d like to encourage the people who make decisions in that area to think about that. Competitions and facilities are what inspire the young generation to be healthy and have a healthy lifestyle.”
Sven Rohte, chief commercial officer at health insurance company Daman, which is sponsoring the walk, said such events are vital in calling citizens to action.
“It gives people a purpose,” he said. “Only when you know you have to walk 5km you get prepared. In the best case that will carry on 365 days a year. We hope to inspire people to have this walking routine throughout the year.”
He said that 70 per cent of insurance claims made to Daman were related to lifestyle diseases.
Dr Maha Barakat, director general, Health Authority Abu Dhabi, said previous walks proved to be a great inspiration to the community.
“Many people who have participated are continuing to walk after the event,” she said. “We’ve seen that with our football tournaments and other similar events too.
“The main concern isn’t the event, but how it impacts people’s lives and how they continue with this activity after the events.
“Do people continue walking, playing football or do they take their running shoes and lock them up and let them gather dust? We hope the whole community continues exercising as much as they can but exercise alone is not enough. We have to think about diet. It’s not just your sugar and fat intake but it’s things like salt and smoking which are all elements of a bad lifestyle.”
This year’s walk will also see the launch of the Health X conference that hopes to engage professionals and the community, and will feature live healthy cooking stands and demonstrations.
“Food is a key part of the experience of the walk itself on November 7,” said Nick McElwee, Yas Marina’s sales and marketing director. “A balanced diet is a key part of this issue.”
mswan@thenational.ae