RIYADH — Yara International School (YIS) in association with Lions Club (Riyadh) and RIMA (Riyadh Indian Medical Association) organized a diabetes awareness campaign titled “Children are our future...Be fit for future” on Children’s Day last week.
Children’s Day and World Diabetes Day coincide with each other on the same day, and there couldn’t have been a better way for children to engage in something beneficial.
Unhealthy, sedentary lifestyles coupled with junk-food laden diet have rendered the children obese and sluggish making them easy prey to diabetes.
The nexus between obesity and diabetes has given rise to the term “Diabesity,” which needs to be tackled at a grass root level. It is in response to this growing concern that YIS initiated the drive against diabetes and educated the student community about the escalating health threat that diabetes poses.
The fun-filled day was packed with activities and awareness programs. The ambience was drenched in blue in keeping with the logo of the World Diabetes Day. The blue circle symbolizes an overwhelmingly positive attitude toward life and health. Needless to say, the entire school resonated with a feeling of goodness and well-being.
A fun and food fair was also organized for the children. Food stalls serving nutritious and tasty food were setup to encourage children to eat right and stay healthy.
Girls of grades 8 to 10 conjured up a few healthy snacks that were quick and easy to prepare, yet rich in nutritional value.
Nearly 400 boys from the secondary section, accompanied by the male staff, participated in a “walkathon” which stretched across the Nahda Park in Malaz.
Dressed in t-shirts, flashing the slogan “walk to cure diabetes,” they emphasized on a structured form of physical activity to ensure sound healthy lifestyle.
Later they visited some of popular malls and supermarkets like Nesto and Lulu to distribute hand-outs titled “Diabetes Education and Prevention” and “Awareness on Child Obesity”.
A free blood-sugar testing camp was organized for teachers by Ryan Polyclinic. This was of immense help as in most cases diabetes remains undetected or unnoticed, leading to complications later on. BMI (Body Mass Index ) was calculated for several children to diagnose any indication of obesity in them. It was definitely a worthwhile exercise as it alerted many who were bordering on the danger zone.
Hameed Naha, member of the management committee of Yara International School; Dr.Thampi Vellapan, president of Riyadh Indian Medical Association; Dr.AbdulAziz, media convener of Riyadh Indian Medical Association; Lion.Baby Moothaparambil, president of Lions Club in Riyadh); and Lion.Ratesh Kumar, chairman of diabetes awareness program were some of the dignitaries who attended the event.
Dr. Abdul Aziz and Dr.Thampi elucidated the causes and prevention of diabetes and shed light on the appalling effects of obesity on children’s physical and mental health. They appreciated the efforts taken by Principal Aasima Saleem in organizing the grand event which was unique in terms of its presentation and purpose.
To drive home the idea that good health cannot happen in a day planned to observe an entire week as “Health Week.” A balanced and nutritious diet chart has been prepared in consultation with the dietician and pediatrician from the Indian Medical Association. The diet plan aims at putting the children on the right track and set the ball rolling for a healthy future.
Instilling proper eating habits and incorporating a fitness regime in the daily routine at an early age would definitely curb the menace of juvenile diabetes.
The brainchild behind this mega event was Saleem. She stated that prevention is better than cure and there is no need of cure if we put in conscious effort to change our dietary habits and embrace a healthy lifestyle.
The partners for this mega event with a social cause are Hewlett-Packard (HP), Lions Club of Riyadh, NADEC, Nesto, Lulu, RIMA, TMG (Health and Wellness magazine), Ryan Polyclinic and Khana Khazana. — SG
