(MENAFN- Khaleej Times) With over a million cases being reported, diabetes is becoming a serious health issue in the UAE, with lifestyle and junk food being the main cause of this disease.
Avivo Group's New National Medical Centre in Abu Dhabi hosted a painting competition, 'Spread the Blue', for school children as part of its initiative to create early awareness on fighting diabetes and highlighting the role of junk foods in rising incidents of diabetes.
Junk foods may contribute to diabetes in different ways and the top of that is the rapid effect on blood sugar levels. Highly-processed foods that are high in calories and low in vitamins, minerals and fibre are digested quickly and can cause a rapid rise in blood sugar levels. Diabetes occurs when the human body does not produce any or enough insulin, leading to an excess of sugar in the blood.
Over a hundred children in the age groups of 4-7 and 8-10 years participated in the 'Spread the Blue' competition from seven schools in Abu Dhabi. Participating schools were Emirates Future International Academy, Bright Riders School, Dunes International School, Model School, St Joseph School, Sun Rise School and Global Indian School.
Dr Dilshaad Ali, chief executive officer of Avivo Group, said: "We are pleased to see great interest among teachers, students and their parents in our 'Spread the Blue' painting competition, which was held at New National Medical Centre in Abu Dhabi. The reason we chose school children is that they learn about the causes of this chronic disease at an early stage and avoid unhealthy food habits."
Avivo Group is one of the fastest-growing healthcare service providers in the GCC and its New National Medical Centre is a multiple-speciality medical centre in the Mussafah residential area. It commenced operations in 1999 with a diverse team of highly-qualified medical professionals in various departments. The facility offers 10 specialty services supported by a full-fledged in-house laboratory and radiology, physiotherapy and pharmacy.
Dr Ravipreet Singh, general manager of Avivo Group Abu Dhabi, said: "We are delighted to engage school children by organising the 'Spread the Blue' competition in Abu Dhabi. The response was great from schools as well as from students and parents. The paintings of the students were awesome and we are confident they learnt a lot about diabetes during the competition."
Thirteen children won and the winners of the competition were announced at the inauguration of an art gallery by Dr Singh along with Dr Shabbir Hussain, medical director of New National Medical Centre. All the paintings will be displayed at the art gallery, which is open to public at New National Medical Centre in Mussafah, Abu Dhabi. Many guests visited the gallery, including teachers, school management, students and parents. Guests from participating schools were Biju Oomen of Emirates Future International Academy, Manjari Satsangi from Bright Riders School and Shankar P. from Dunes International School.
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