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Diabetes Walkathon in November

DUBAI — Abu Dhabi is gearing up to mark this year’s World Diabetes Day on November 14 with staging the second diabetes walkathon to prevail awareness about it among people.

More than 10,000 people are expected to join the annual event, ‘WALK UAE 2008’ that will be held in partnership with the Emirates Foundation, according to organisers at the Imperial College London Diabetes Centre (ICLDC).

This shows a 100 per cent increase over the 5,000 participants recorded last year’s inaugural event.

ICLDC’s Medical and Research Director and Consultant Endocrinologist, Dr Maha Taysir Barakat said that walking is proven to be effective in the management and the prevention of diabetes.

Thirty minutes of moderate physical activity daily, such as a brisk, helps the body improve the use of its own insulin and wards off diabetes.

Dr Maha Taysir Barakat confirmed that hundreds of Emirates Foundation Takatof volunteers are geared to participate in the walkathon event, with many more helping with pre-event preparation.

The International Federation of Diabetes has announced November as diabetes month.

anwar@khaleejtimes.com