(MENAFN- Emirates News Agency (WAM))
SHARJAH, 17th November, 2018 (WAM) -- In conjunction with World Diabetes Day, The Friends for Diabetes Society, one of the health support associations of the Health Promotion Department at the Supreme Council for Family Affairs in Sharjah, concluded its "Blue Circle 10" event on Saturday at the headquarters of the Sharjah Women's Sports Foundation.
The event, which was held this year under the theme of "Family Olympics," featured various educational and sports activities that aimed to raise the community's awareness on ways to prevent and live with diabetes.
The Blue Circle is the universal symbol for diabetes, which was originally developed as part of a global awareness campaign on diabetes under the theme of "Unite against diabetes." The symbol was adopted as a symbol for the World Diabetes Day by the United Nations in 2007. The blue border of the circle reflects the colour of the sky, which is a symbol of unity amongst nations. The circle also symbolises unity among governments everywhere to fight diabetes.
The event was attended by Nada Askar Al Naqbi, Director-General of the Sharjah Women's Sports Foundation, SWSF; Iman Rashid Saif, Director of the Health Promotion Department at the Supreme Council for Family Affairs in Sharjah; and Khawla Al Haj, Head of the Friends for Diabetes Society.
The event featured sports competitions and nutrition-related educational activities and offered free consultations and tests, as well as organised raffles on prizes to the attendees. The event also witnessed the participation of a large number of mothers and their children, who were keen to participate in the activities and sports competitions, as well as listen to the awareness messages presented at the event.
Dr. Elham Al Amiri, Deputy Head of the Friends for Diabetes Society, said, "More than 425 million people around the world currently live with diabetes, and most of them are affected by Type 2, which can be largely prevented by performing regular physical activity, and following a healthy and balanced diet, in addition to developing healthy living environments. The family plays a key role in reducing the chance of contracting this disease by encouraging a healthy diet and regular exercise."
Al Amiri added, "According to statistics, less than one out of four members of a family has access to educational programmes on diabetes, although many studies have proven that the support of the family and the participation of its members in taking care of diabetes patients have a huge effect in improving health results. This is why it is important that both awareness and support is made available to anyone affected by diabetes and their families, in order to reduce the negative psychological impact of the disease, which can adversely affect the quality of life of those affected."
WAM/Tariq alfaham
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