17,000 pegged to join Abu Dhabi's Sixth Walk Marking World Diabetes Day

Walk 2012 is part of Walk for Life, a key pillar in ICLDC's long-running public health awareness campaign 'Diabetes-Knowledge-Action' under the patronage of Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak. Walk 2012 is set to take place in November 16, just two days after World Diabetes Day.

'Diabetes-Knowledge-Action' has reached out to more than 160,000 people since its launch in 2007, with Walk for Life attracting more and more people each year. Walk 2012 is looking to host more than 17,000 participants, up from 4,500 walkers six years ago.

According to ICLDC's Medical and Research Director and Consultant Endocrinologist, Dr Maha Taysir Barakat more than 366 million people worldwide are living with diabetes.

She also said that the latest figures from the International Diabetes Federation suggest that the condition affects more than 19% of the UAE population, placing the Emirates in tenth place, worldwide.

"This year, Walk 2012 once more stresses that every step counts. This has a double meaning in support of regular walking, as well as taking other lifestyle steps to ensure a good level of health to help manage and even prevent diabetes," Dr Maha said.

She added that almost 50% of people living with diabetes are not aware of their condition.

Meanwhile, Daman has again pledged its full support of Walk 2012. The company has backed the annual event from the outset.

Daman's Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Michael Bitzer said: "Raising diabetes awareness, and dealing with all aspects from prevention to management, is extremely important to Daman. We're delighted to be supporting Walk 2012 and the event's underlying principle that every step counts in the collaborative move to ensure we encourage a healthy nation."

Dr Maha added that the key to the prevention of type 2 diabetes is to maintain a normal body weight best achieved by a balanced diet and regular exercise.