Thursday 15 November 2012

Emirati Mothers and Thousands of Children Pledge To Pace The F1 Track Walk 2012



Nation’s Families Get Behind Walk 2012
To Mark World Diabetes Day

Yas Marina Circuit
November 16 2012
Doors Open at 3pm For Family Fun and Edutainment

Abu Dhabi UAE, November 15 2012: Hundreds of Emirati mothers and youngsters have pledged their participation in the upcoming Walk 2012, according to organisers, Imperial College London Diabetes Centre (ICLDC).
The Centre coordinated with Abu Dhabi’s Family Development Foundation (FDF) and more than 150 mothers along with 350 children from the FDF network are set to attend the event at Yas Marina Circuit on November 16, just two days after World Diabetes Day.
In addition, corporate supporters of the nation’s largest 
Children from the Family Development Foundation’s school network practice their fitness performance ahead of Friday’s Walk 2012 at Yas Marina Circuit.

Walk 2012 is part of Walk for Life, a key pillar in ICLDC’s campaign, ‘Diabetes-Knowledge-Action’, under the patronage of Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak.public health awareness event have enabled another 3,000 school children to attend by donating entry tickets.
Sheikha Fatima is the Chairwoman of the General Women's Union, Chairwoman of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood, as well as the Supreme Chairwoman of the Family Development Foundation.
Obesity has reached alarming proportions in the Middle East. Women and children feature prominently in this rise with more than 45 percent of women in the 15-49 age groups identified as overweight or even obese.ICLDC’s Medical and Research Director and Consultant Endocrinologist, Dr Maha Taysir Barakat acknowledged the role of the family in encouraging a balanced diet and regular exercise.  
With the support of Abu Dhabi’s Family Development Foundation, hundreds of Emirati mothers and many more youngsters have pledged their participation in Walk 2012, this Friday November 16 at Yas Marina Circuit
“Young ones are impressionable and the children of parents who exercise regularly are more likely to come to enjoy exercise and its health benefits throughout life,” she said.
Dr Maha noted that there is a reported rise in the number of cases of type 2 diabetes among children linked to a sedentary lifestyle and an unhealthy diet.

“It was previously thought that type 1 diabetes only affected children, and type 2 diabetes, adults.

“However, it is now evident that type 2 diabetes is increasing in children with obesity, and type 1 is also known to reveal itself in later life. The good news is that up to 80 per cent of type 2 diabetes may be managed and even prevented by positive lifestyle modifications,” she said

Now in its sixth year, Walk 2012 is supported by the National Health Insurance Company – Daman and offers a choice of two walking circuits; a five kilometre route for those who really want to walk for a good 60 minutes or more, and a shorter three kilometre route, which is great for families with small children.
Walk 2012 kicks off this Friday at 3pm with a whole array of fun-filled family activities and entertainment, including special fitness performances by young children from the Family Development Foundation’s network of schools across the capital.
Daman’s Chief Executive Officer Dr Michael Bitzer said: “We are delighted to hear that so many mothers and children are joining Walk 2012. This is what the event is all about, getting families together to raise awareness of the benefits of living healthily.”
Walk 2012’s programme kicks off on November 16 at 3pm with an array of family activities, including fun-filled entertainment geared to encouraging lifestyle changes.
FDF confirmed that four groups of school children are scheduled to each give a special Walk for Life fitness performance to the expected 17,000 participants, up from 4,500 walkers six years ago.
Log onto www.diabetesuae.ae and www.facebook.com/diabetesuae/walkforlife                 


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