The campaign also aimed to educate women on how prevention was the key by opting for healthy foods with natural sugars, reducing consumption of processed foods and importance of daily exercise.

Dr. Zia Ul Hassan of Medcare said, 'Since women decide most food choices at home, we feel it was important to educate them about healthy food options and importance of exercise in the family.'

Indeed throughout the region Diabetes is becoming a growing issue aggravated by lifestyle choices. 'Regular exercise and a good balanced diet are easy steps to take to reduce the risk of contracting Diabetes. This is where we felt we could make a difference. Through education, we can take a preventative stance, rather than a reactive one,' said Jyoti Anand of Shape Xpress.

Specialists from the hospital addressed a specially invited audience of young women and mothers about diabetes as a global health problem, focusing on gestational diabetes, diabetes complicating pregnancy, diet management and treatment of the disease.

Expert speakers from Medcare Hospital included Dr. Shiva H. Krishnan, specialist gynecologist & obstetrician, Dr. Zia Ul Hassan, specialist endocrinologist, and Mr. Mohamed El Syed El Falahgi, nutritionist & dietician.

The Emirates Foundation, Health Authority - Abu Dhabi (HAAD), the UAE's leading centre for specialist diabetes care, Imperial College London Diabetes Centre (ICLDC) and the Ministry of Health, have all issued reports stating that diabetes affects 19.5% or almost one in five of the UAE population between the ages of 20-79.

Dr. Shiva said, 'Dependence on fast foods, increasing stress levels, a sedentary lifestyle are the key factors triggering diabetes. Education on making better choices and prevention is the key.'

All participants at the workshop were provided with a privilege coupon for a Well Woman Check up Package at special discounted rates. The package includes Consultation with an endocrinologist, a gynaecologist, blood sugar testing, cholesterol check up and ultrasound screening amongst other consultative services.

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