As urban lifestyle increasingly limits our physical movement and activity, it comes up with ever new ways of indulging ourselves in food that is rich in fat and calories, producing lots of insulin that our body does not need. 

While diabetes is a global killer with most victims being found, not surprisingly, in rich, industrialised nations, it has of late emerged as a clear and present danger to countries in the Middle East.  The UAE, despite being a young and small country, has the second-highest rate of diabetes in the world, mainly because of our bad diet and eating habits, a lazy lifestyle and our infinite ignorance about the disease. Of late though, relentless efforts are being made by the government, individuals and private organsiations and groups to promote awareness on the issue.

The widely attended Beat Diabetes Walkathon, which attracted tens of thousands of enthusiastic participants in Dubai on Friday, is a healthy sign of the growing public consciousness. 

The statistics unveiled by the Imperial College London Diabetes Centre at the recent Arab Health Congress in Abu Dhabi are damning. Nearly 20 per cent of the UAE’s population is affected by diabetes.  As many as 40 per cent of residents over 60 have diabetes and the number is growing fast. When it comes to the UAE nationals, this gets even more serious.  Diabetes mellitus causes 75 per cent of deaths among Emiratis or nationals.

No wonder the UAE has decided to tackle the disease on a war footing this year.  In this regard, the Ministry of Health has sought the help and cooperation from corporate houses and non-government agencies.  A concerted campaign that includes the government, major companies and corporate players and private individuals and agencies is needed to take on the monster in our midst. 

A more responsible lifestyle and healthy attitude to eating must be inculcated in our children early on.  This is why the role of both parents and teachers in this campaign is crucial.  Eating healthfully is the first step to living healthfully.  In Britain, young celebrity chef Jamie Oliver launched a nation-wide campaign a couple of years ago to introduce a more healthy diet in British school canteens.  Perhaps, the UAE needs a Jamie Oliver of its own.