By Joseph Varghese

Staff Reporter

A researcher from Qatar University has come out with an innovative programme that combines education, diet control and physical activity to contain  the high  levels of diabetes in the country.

The programme  that lasts for seven weeks and exploits the benefits of group therapy, is being implemented in co-operation with Qatar Diabetes Association (QDA) and Microclinic International.

It will be run in  batches and the research team plans to conduct the programme for a minimum of two years. It is expected that the project will significantly reduce the diabetes and obesity levels in the country where one out of five people is diabetic.

Speaking to Gulf Times, Emily Gaikowski, trial manager, Qatar University and  Microclinic International, said  the registration for the first batch of the programme was underway. 

“Residents and citizens with Type 2 diabetes, pre-diabetes or with a body mass index (BMI) of above 30 can register for the programme for free,” she said. “They have to come with a partner who also suffers
from the same condition,” she said.

“The programme is implemented in groups of two with the idea of benefiting each person to the maximum. Already more than  70 people have registered. We plan to have around 72 groups with 144 people for the first batch of the training starting in September.”

The researcher noted that the programme had proved to be “very effective” and had great impact in many provinces in the US and Jordan. 

“The  programme is for seven weeks. There will be one class each week and the participants will receive  free health education courses, cooking classes and physical activity lessons. People are more likely to lose weight, get healthy, and reverse serious illnesses when they work together.”

Gaikowski said  the recruitment for the programme started sometime back and the response had been encouraging.

She said the present recruitment would  be completed by tomorrow. People who are interested in joining the programme can visit the QDA office and register. Once the required number for the first batch is reached, the remaining enrolments will be included for the next batch.

People who are above the age of 18 are eligible to join the programme, which according to the researcher, is a series of fun filled events that people can attend with friends and family.