Around 800,000 people in the UAE (about 19.2 per cent of the population) are suffering from diabetes, according to a startling report released by International Diabetes Federation (IDF).

On top of the alarming prevalence rates, an additional 39 per cent of the UAE’s population is also at risk of developing diabetes, according to new 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, said .

“The numbers are worrying. With a prevalence of around 20 per cent, most families in the UAE will be affected by diabetes,' said Jesper Høiland, senior VP International Operations of Novo Nordisk, a global healthcare company with 88 years of innovation and leadership in diabetes care.

'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, he stated.

'As a response, and in an effort to raise awareness levels of the disease and its prevention, we are bringing our 'Changing Diabetes Village' to Dubai,' he added.

Novo Nordisk is hosting the 'Changing Diabetes Village' in collaboration with the Emirates Diabetes Society and BBC Good Food ME at the Mall of the Emirates for three full days from December 5 to 7, said Høiland.

The village will welcome visitors at the mall during the IDF World Diabetes Congress 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, said the Danish company in a statement.

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 to 9 pm each evening at the Village. She will also teach visitors how to prepare traditional Arabic cuisine with a healthier twist, it stated.

Dancers from the Nora Dance Group will demonstrate basic dance routines that people can learn and practice as part of a healthier lifestyle on December 6 and 7.

Visitors can also take part in Kinect fitness games and will be offered a free diabetes screening, it added.-TradeArabia News Service