Being active with a healthy lifestyle is the best chance at beating diabetes, a disease that is a huge and a growing burden on the human society. About 415 million adults were living with diabetes in 2015, say experts. The number is expected to increase to around 642 million or one in ten adults by 2040, according to International Diabetes Federation. 
As the entire world observed the World Diabetes Day (WDD) with long walks and awareness campaigns, people in Qatar joined them in large numbers. A large number of people gathered at the MIA Park to participate in a walkathon organised by Qatar Diabetes Association. 
Separately, members of different expatriate communities living in Qatar organised awareness gatherings where medical experts highlighted the risks posed by the disease and how to protect oneself against it. 
A number of Indian community expatriates observed the WDD with a seminar where Dr Amal Konikkuzhiyil of Imara Health Care called upon the community to be more active. 
Delivering the keynote address at the public awareness programme organised by Mediaplus in connection with the World Diabetes Day, he underlined the importance of regular physical exercise, controlling diet and necessary lifestyle modifications. These steps would prevent a large number of diseases, not just diabetes, he said.
“Studies have proven that sedentary life style followed by unhealthy habits lead to an unprecedented spread of diabetes in all societies. Constant consumption of processed food and lack of physical activities are major causes for many diseases,” Dr Amal told the audience.
Consuming more vegetables, leaves and fruits will increase the immunity of the human body and prevent diseases to a great extent, while regular physical activities will make the body fitter, suggested the medical expert.
“It is very important to commit ourselves to take care of our health. Apart from words and speeches we should fulfil our commitment to ourselves by following healthy habits, and adopting physical activities and scientific food habits,” said Dr Amal.
World Diabetes Day (WDD) is celebrated every year on November 14 with the objective of giving a voice to and drum-up the need for diabetes awareness. The WDD campaign is led by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) and its member associations.
It engages millions of people worldwide in diabetes advocacy and awareness. World Diabetes Day was created in 1991 by the IDF and the World Health Organization in response to growing concerns about the escalating health threat that diabetes now poses.
World Diabetes Day became an official United Nations Day in 2007 with the passage of United Nation Resolution 61/225. The campaign draws attention to issues of paramount importance to the diabetes world and keeps diabetes firmly in the public spotlight. It features a new theme chosen by the International Diabetes Federation each year to address issues facing the global diabetes community. The day itself marks the birthday of Frederick Banting who, along with Charles Best, first conceived the idea that led to the discovery of insulin in 1922.
Dr Amal hailed the theme of the World Diabetes Day as highly relevant and called upon the society at large to move together to materialise this “coveted goal.”
The participants of the programme were also given free diabetic screening, blood pressure checkup and body mass index checks, and individual counselling sessions. The participants also pledged to fight to prevent the unprecedented spread of the disease in the society.
Mediaplus CEO Amanulla Vadakkangara conducted the event. T M Kabeer, Muhammedunni Olakara, P N Baburajan, Elias Jacob, Aboobacker Sideek and Shiny Kabeer spoke.
Imara Health Care CEO Abdul Hakeem, Eastern Exchange General Manager Baiju K C and Hammer and Hand Trading and Contracting Company General Manager Vinod Abraham were guests of honour.