The amount of serious illness caused by diabetes in the UAE has dropped compared with other diseases such as cancer, new research has shown.
The findings come as authorities in the Emirates continue to encourage residents to exercise more frequently and eat more healthily.
In recent decades, rates of obesity and diabetes have soared in the Middle East and North Africa, in part due to sedentary lifestyles and poor diet.
More than one in six people in the UAE have diabetes and it is a factor in more than two-thirds of deaths of people aged under 60.
“We have seen significant increases in diabetes across the Middle East and North Africa,” said Dr Richard Sullivan, co-director of the Conflict and Health Research Group at King’s College London and one of the authors of the study.
Very few countries have policies to tackle obesity and physical activity. Information-based campaigns educating and encouraging people to make more informed choices have had an influence.
“This has been due to a rapid nutritional transition and increases in body mass. [But the UAE] put in place an early public health intervention coupled to healthier foods and exercise.”
The new study was published in April in the American journal Plos One.
The paper details the proportion of ‘disability-adjusted life years’, or Dalys, caused by diabetes.
Dalys are defined as the number of healthy years of life lost due to disability or premature death.
Between 1996 and 2005, research found about 4.2 per cent of Dalys were lost due to diabetes, but between 2009 to 2018 the figure was around 3.75 per cent.
By contrast, over the same period, the proportion of Dalys accounted for by diabetes increased in all nine other countries surveyed – Egypt, Iran, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Turkey.
“The extent of implementation of policies to tackle diabetes appears very limited in some of the Mena countries,” said Dr Preeti Patel, an expert in global health at King’s College London and another of the study’s authors.
“Very few countries have policies to tackle obesity and physical activity. Information-based campaigns educating and encouraging people to make more informed choices have had an influence.”
Dr Patel said one factor behind poor diet in the Mena region was a reliance on imported foodstuffs.
She said this increased the risk of residents consuming processed foods with high sugar, fat and salt content.
Several initiatives are ongoing to help improve health in the UAE, including a tax on sugary drinks and the Dubai Fitness Challenge, which last year encouraged 1.1 million people to complete 30 minutes of exercise every day for 30 days.
Dr Patel also cited efforts by the Ministry of Health and Prevention in the Emirates to reduce rates of non-communicable disease, and initiatives to promote healthier lifestyles.
Dr Raghib Ali, director of the Public Health Research Centre at New York University Abu Dhabi, said it was difficult to compare rates of diabetes over time because of the change in the UAE’s population due to immigration.
However, he said he thought the country was ahead of other GCC nations in introducing initiatives to reduce rates of disease.
“It’s fair to say that without interventions the situation would be even worse,” he said.
“The government is undertaking a lot of efforts, which should be applauded, but there’s still a long way to go to reduce the key risk factor for obesity, which is unhealthy diet and lack of physical activity.”
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Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
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Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
F1 2020 calendar
March 15 - Australia, Melbourne; March 22 - Bahrain, Sakhir; April 5 - Vietnam, Hanoi; April 19 - China, Shanghai; May 3 - Netherlands, Zandvoort; May 20 - Spain, Barcelona; May 24 - Monaco, Monaco; June 7 - Azerbaijan, Baku; June 14 - Canada, Montreal; June 28 - France, Le Castellet; July 5 - Austria, Spielberg; July 19 - Great Britain, Silverstone; August 2 - Hungary, Budapest; August 30 - Belgium, Spa; September 6 - Italy, Monza; September 20 - Singapore, Singapore; September 27 - Russia, Sochi; October 11 - Japan, Suzuka; October 25 - United States, Austin; November 1 - Mexico City, Mexico City; November 15 - Brazil, Sao Paulo; November 29 - Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi.
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Tips to stay safe during hot weather
- Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of fluids, especially water. Avoid alcohol and caffeine, which can increase dehydration.
- Seek cool environments: Use air conditioning, fans, or visit community spaces with climate control.
- Limit outdoor activities: Avoid strenuous activity during peak heat. If outside, seek shade and wear a wide-brimmed hat.
- Dress appropriately: Wear lightweight, loose and light-coloured clothing to facilitate heat loss.
- Check on vulnerable people: Regularly check in on elderly neighbours, young children and those with health conditions.
- Home adaptations: Use blinds or curtains to block sunlight, avoid using ovens or stoves, and ventilate living spaces during cooler hours.
- Recognise heat illness: Learn the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke (dizziness, confusion, rapid pulse, nausea), and seek medical attention if symptoms occur.
Cricket World Cup League 2
UAE squad
Rahul Chopra (captain), Aayan Afzal Khan, Ali Naseer, Aryansh Sharma, Basil Hameed, Dhruv Parashar, Junaid Siddique, Muhammad Farooq, Muhammad Jawadullah, Muhammad Waseem, Omid Rahman, Rahul Bhatia, Tanish Suri, Vishnu Sukumaran, Vriitya Aravind
Fixtures
Friday, November 1 – Oman v UAE
Sunday, November 3 – UAE v Netherlands
Thursday, November 7 – UAE v Oman
Saturday, November 9 – Netherlands v UAE
Suggested picnic spots
Abu Dhabi
Umm Al Emarat Park
Yas Gateway Park
Delma Park
Al Bateen beach
Saadiyaat beach
The Corniche
Zayed Sports City
Dubai
Kite Beach
Zabeel Park
Al Nahda Pond Park
Mushrif Park
Safa Park
Al Mamzar Beach Park
Al Qudrah Lakes
Sukuk
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Ferrari 12Cilindri specs
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