This Thursday, Imperial College London Diabetes Centre will be hosting its first children and parents healthy living workshop in Al Ain, which will cover all aspects of a healthy lifestyle including diet and exercise.

The afternoon workshop will also explore ways to prevent and manage diabetes in younger people.

This event forms part of Imperial College London Diabetes Centre’s Play for Life education and public health awareness programme and is hosted for children by the Centre’s dedicated paediatric team.

Participants will be able to take part in a series of interactive workstations and receive a certificate for each activity they take part in:

-      A healthy eating stand where there will be a number of educational food games and quizzes available with the Centre’s dieticians

-      A diabetes education stand which will see a fun question and answer session with endocrinologists

-      An exercise stand where children can play fast-paced games

There will also be a full programme of entertainment including face painting, balloon making, nail art, a magician and a colouring book corner throughout the day.

The interactive afternoon kicks off at 2pm and is part of ICLDC’s programme of activities leading up to World Diabetes Day, which includes the annual walkathon, Walk 2015 on November 13 at Yas Marina Circuit, held under the patronage of Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak and supported by Health Authority - Abu Dhabi.

Dr Amani Osman, the Centre’s consultant paediatric diabetologist, said: “The Play For Life workshop looks to show children and their parents how living healthily, as well as preventing and managing diabetes can be achieved in a fun and interactive way.

“With potentially up to 10 per cent of children living with diabetes, and many more potentially at risk of developing diabetes, especially if they are obese or living unhealthily, it is important that people are aware that simple lifestyle changes such as an hour’s exercise for children every day and a balanced, nutritious diet can make all the difference in preventing and managing this disease.

“In addition, we encourage parents who are concerned about diabetes risks or symptoms to bring their children into ICLDC in Abu Dhabi or Al Ain for a check-up and advice.”

Source: AFP