VLCC, Middle East’s premier scientific slimming, beauty and preventive healthcare brand, is launching a month-long anti-obesity drive from November 18 to December 18.

With over 250 million obese adults worldwide, the World Health Organisation considers obesity as a major public health problem. It is predicted that, by 2015, over 700 million adults will be pronounced obese worldwide.

Closer home, UAE records one of the highest rates of obesity in the world with almost 70 per cent of the population suffering from the malady.

VLCC has stood up to this shocking statistic by taking the first step to put up a united fight against the surge of obesity in UAE.

With the active involvement of the medical fraternity and health authorities in India, VLCC designated November 26 as the Anti Obesity Day. VLCC now observes Anti Obesity Day every year in UAE, Oman, Bahrain and India. This year VLCC’s Anti Obesity Awareness Campaign will be an extensive month-long drive.

“With this comprehensive drive, VLCC is attempting to not only tackle the huge onslaught of the ailment in UAE but to also focus society’s behavior towards healthy living,” stated Sandeep Ahuja, chief of VLCC International.

According to statistics released by the World Health Organisation, the UAE has been ranked 18th in the list of countries that have the most number of overweight and obese people.  The statistics also show that 33.7 per cent of adults in the UAE are obese and 19.5 per cent of them suffer from diabetes.

On November 24, VLCC has planned a special panel discussion by bringing together leading members of the government, the medical fraternity and civil society to dwell on a so-far-unexplored aspect of obesity: ‘discrimination’. Speakers from various disciplines and experts in the field of obesity and weight management will be sharing their perspectives, experiences and comments on discrimination against the obese.

To further strengthen and increase public awareness on obesity, this year VLCC has come up with an information campaign, giving details about various serious diseases and their linkage with obesity. These leaflets will be distributed through all VLCC centres and at various public places.

As another step in a series of initiatives VLCC along with a leading NGO will be organizing a 10 Km cycle-a-thon to urge the public to participate and raise awareness for the cause of fighting obesity and promoting a healthy lifestyle.

The cycle-a-thon is planned to take place on December 18, at Jumeirah Beach Road, commencing from Port Rashid, next to the biggest flag of UAE.

In order to provide comprehensive information on the drive, VLCC has also created a dedicated website - www.antiobesityday.com - which attempts to answer all possible queries on obesity including tips, advise on physical activities and even revealing some interesting beauty secrets. Visitors to the site can also calculate their Body Mass Index (BMI) instantly.-TradeArabia News Service