Diabetes hits one in five in the UAE

New numbers released by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) show that 19.2% - or 800,000 people - in the UAE now live with diabetes. As a response, and in an effort to raise awareness levels of the disease and its prevention, Novo Nordisk brings its Changing Diabetes® Village to the Mall of the Emirates from the 5th to the 7th of December, during the IDF World Diabetes Congress held in Dubai on 4-8 December.

On top of the alarming prevalence rates, an additional 39% of the UAE’s population is also at risk of developing diabetes, according to the findings from the latest MENA Diabetes Awareness Survey, carried out earlier this year by Ipsos Health Emirates. This new data demands a serious call for action to spread awareness and provide education about diabetes, its consequences and the change in lifestyle which can help prevent it.

Jesper Høiland, senior vice president International Operations, Novo Nordisk, said: “The numbers are worrying. With a prevalence of around 20%, most families in the UAE will be affected by diabetes. We believe that awareness combined with prevention, early detection, better disease management and education can make a significant difference, in terms of people living longer and healthier lives going forward.”

Hosted by Novo Nordisk and in collaboration with the Emirates Diabetes Society and BBC Good Food ME, the Changing Diabetes® Village will welcome visitors in the Mall of the Emirates for three full days, from 5 - 7 December, offering them the chance to participate in a variety of activities, such as simple warm-up exercises demonstrated by Emirati footballers Faisal Khalil and Tariq Ahmed.

Cooking demonstrations will be held by celebrity chef Suzanne Husseini, who is passionate about the importance of diet in relation to maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Suzanne will be cooking from 7–9 pm each evening at the Village. She will also teach visitors how to prepare traditional Arabic cuisine with a healthier twist.

Dancers from the Nora Dance Group will demonstrate basic dance routines that people can learn and practice as part of a healthier lifestyle on 6 and 7 December. Visitors can also take part in Kinect fitness games and will be offered a free diabetes screening.