ADEC employees take part in submitting a healthy recipe suitable for diabetics

According to Health Authority Abu Dhabi (HAAD) statistics, 21% of Emirati's across the Emirate of Abu Dhabi above the age of 18 have diabetes. In general 44% of the population screened had evidence of either pre-diabetes or diabetes.

The HAAD Weqaya Screening (2009-2010) also show that 67% of Emirati's are obese or overweight, 55% have central obesity, 44% have high lipid levels and 23% have high blood pressure.

Each employee's recipe was included in the ADEC Recipe Book, a new initiative organized by ADEC's Health Management Section along with the Health and Wellness Division, who together have been actively involved in launching several health related workshops for their staff.

ADEC employees were asked to submit their recipes before November 21st 2012. The recipe book consists of all recipes collected by ADEC's staff members as well as information on diabetes prevention, which was made available for other employees to read about during a specialized diabetes workshop organized by the Health team at ADEC's Headquarters today (November 28th 2012).

During the event, a few of the top recipes were selected and its preparation demonstrated. At the same time, staff given the opportunity to have their blood sugar levels tested.

Green apples for good health were also placed in baskets and offered to employees walking into the ADEC Headquarters building first thing in the morning and upon their arrival to work.
Earlier, ADEC's Health team encouraged ADEC employees to participate in The Walk for Diabetes that took place on Yas Island last Friday, November 16th.

Nasseem Rouhani, Health Promotion Senior Specialist from the Health and Wellness Division mentioned that "We are delighted that so many staff has shown interest in submitting healthy recipes for our recipe book this year. This just shows that individuals are interested in preparing healthy meals and hopefully more people will be motivated to do so through the recipe book."

Maitha Al Neyadi, Health Specialist from the Health Management Section mentioned that "diabetes is a disease that has existed in the UAE for quite some time now so it is natural for individuals to have experienced or heard about the disease either from within the family or through their close friends, however it is always beneficial to remind the people to remain healthy as it can be a constant struggle for some whom are in dire need of being guided towards a healthy lifestyle."