Moderate exercise wards off diabetes

Researchers say exercising for just 30 minutes a day can more than halve the chances of developing diabetes.

ABU DHABI // Exercising for just 30 minutes a day can more than halve the chances of developing diabetes, medical researchers said yesterday. Moderate exercise could be a significant factor in helping reduce the risk of contracting the disease, which affects a worryingly high number of Emiratis. Dr Maha Barakat, the medical and research director of the Imperial College London Diabetes Centre in Abu Dhabi, said: "If you exercise for 30 minutes a day, you can lower your risk of developing diabetes by 57 per cent."

She emphasised that the exercise need only be moderate and is effective as long as it raises your heart rate. She was speaking at the launch of the I Play Sports campaign, which has organised a football tournament between businesses in Abu Dhabi. "The goal is raising awareness about the importance of sport in our individual lives," said Fatma al Mosa, the head of the communications department at the general secretariat of the Executive Council, the main sponsor of the event. "We want to encourage the corporate world to get active again.

"It doesn't have to be football - choose a sport that suits you. Make it fun and exciting." One of the main risk factors for diabetes is a lack of exercise. The UAE has the second highest rate of the disease in the world, with one in four adults afflicted by Type 1 or 2 diabetes. The numbers are rising exponentially and are expected to double in 17 years. "Exercise is a vital component to the prevention, as well as the management, of Type 2 diabetes," said Dr Barakat. "It is recommended that individuals strive to achieve 30 minutes of moderate physical activity daily. Certainly all people living with diabetes or who are at high risk of developing diabetes should enjoy this routine."

Organisers of the football tournament hope it will contribute to raise awareness about the benefits of exercise. Ten teams will be pitted against one another over four nights at Zayed Sports City, with more than 1,000 supporters expected to attend. Members of the national football team will be stopping by tomorrow and on Sunday to offer their support. The event will include child-friendly activities. On the eve of the finals children will be invited to play on the match pitch. The centre is emphasising exercise for children because they are seen as the group most likely to change their habits.

"We hope if the corporate world does this, it will filter through to others," said Dr Barakat. "Every company can set up an internal tournament - whether it's football or squash or tennis." Regular exercise is about more than just weight loss, she said. It is important to maintain a healthy lifestyle. "Slim people with normal body mass indexes who do not exercise will have hidden fat around their liver and kidneys," warned Dr Barakat, and this can lead to insulin resistance and diabetes.

According to a UAE University study, 24.5 per cent of adults have diabetes and 10 per cent of those are undiagnosed. A further 18.5 per cent have pre-diabetes and are likely to develop the disease unless they make lifestyle changes. Complications from diabetes can include heart disease, cirrhosis of the liver and blindness. Because people are not always aware of the symptoms of diabetes, the disease can progress, leading to severe complications and sometimes sudden death.