Again in October 2011, the MoH reviewed the mode of dispensing of all medications, and listed the majority of cough and cold products as Pharmacist Only Medications (Ph-OM), where a medicine may be supplied without prescription but must be dispensed by a licensed pharmacist and the location of medicine should not be accessed by customers directly. This is to ensure that the consumer will have detailed information about the dose and all the precautionary measures to prevent accidental overdose and to check the suitability of the medicine for the patient.

Medication safety is a hot topic at the upcoming Arab Health Exhibition and Congress which takes place from 23-26 January 2012 at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre. Dr Yasser Sharif, Section Head, Medication and Medical Products Safety and Manager of Poison and Drug Information Center, Health Authority – Abu Dhabi (HAAD), will be speaking on ‘A Toxicologist’s Perspective on Cough and Cold Medications for Children’ during the 5th Middle East Paediatrics Conference at Arab Health.

“Whilst national data for poisoning cases for cough and cold medications are scarce, data from HAAD’s Poison and Drug Information Center (PDIC) shows that out of the 200 cases of poisoning that were received by PDIC during the last 2 years, 14 cases or 7%, were due to cough and cold products,” says Dr Sharif.

The American Academy of Pediatrics concurs that cough and cold medicines should not be given to babies and young children under two years of age and there is limited evidence for their benefit, particularly for infants and young children. No studies have proven the benefit of cough and cold preparations in facilitating recovery from these illnesses, and most children will eventually improve on their own.

Dr Sharif explains that the potential toxicities of cough and cold medicines vary with their composition and that many products contain multiple substances including a decongestant, cough suppressant, antihistamine, and/or antipyretic/ analgesic.
Pseudoephedrine, for example, is a decongestant used to relieve congestion that is present in most cough and cold preparation. Toxicity presents with nervous system stimulation, hypertension, and increased heart rate. It can also cause extreme agitation, excitability, insomnia, psychosis, and seizures.

Many cough and cold preparations also include antihistamines such as chlorpheniramine and brompheniramine. Adverse effects and clinical toxicity of antihistamines can also cause increased heart rate, blurred vision, agitation, drowsiness, confusion, psychoses, seizures and hallucinations may develop with moderate poisoning.

“Doctors should be more vigilant and enquire more often about OTCs when evaluating an ill child in order to avoid duplicate therapy, which may lead to overdose and toxicity. The best medicine is education. Parents need to understand the duration and expected symptoms of common cold, and to know what specific changes in symptoms would warrant a re-evaluation by their child’s physician,” says Dr Sharif.

“Parents must give their children the recommended dose with the correct frequency or length of therapy and they should also use a correct measuring device that is provided with the medicine. Some parents may intentionally give children a higher dose or increase length of therapy while other parents may continue to use these medications as treatment for one of the side effect e.g. sedation to make their children sleep.”

In case of an overdose parents are advised to seek medical help at their nearest emergency room or call the Poison and Drug Information Centre on the toll free number 800424.

For more information about the Arab Health Exhibition & Congress, please visit www.arabhealthonline.com, or call +971 4 407 2743.

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Note to Editors

About Informa Exhibitions:
For more information about Informa Exhibitions, please visit www.informaexhibitions.com.

About Abu Dhabi Health Authority (HAAD):
For more information about (HAAD), please visit www.haad.ae.

For media enquiries please contact:
Inga Stevens
PR and Social Media Manager
Life Science Division
Informa Exhibitions
T: +971 4 407 2743
F: +971 4 336 4021
inga.stevens@informa.com

Top performers from twelve categories rewarding outstanding institutions and individual achievements that have contributed to the growth and development of the Middle East healthcare industry will be announced on 24th January 2012, during the 37th Arab Health Exhibition & Congress which is organised by Informa Exhibitions and will take place at the Dubai International Convention & Exhibition Centre.

“This year the number of submissions for the Arab Health Awards has grown exponentially, from the wider GCC and Middle East, particularly from the UAE and Saudi Arabia,” says Mr El Husseini, business development director, GE Healthcare Middle East and member of the Arab Health Awards judging panel. “What is interesting to see is more participation from the wider healthcare communities in the region such as outpatient care as well as from the private sector. This is very encouraging and shows how important the Arab Health Awards are in terms of offering recognition within the regional healthcare community. In countries such as the UAE, where the government is investing heavily in their healthcare infrastructure, the Arab Health Awards offer a fantastic platform to highlight recent health achievements in the UAE.”

The panel examined more than 150 nominations submitted by healthcare facilities and professionals from around the Middle East region to build the shortlist for ten award categories:

Arab Health Awards 2012 Short List:

Young Surgeon of the Year Award
 Ahmed Abo-Hashem, Zagazig University, Egypt
 Ritu Khare,Dubai Mall Medical Centre, UAE
 Vinod Gauba, Imperial Heathcare Institute, UAE

Cleveland Clinic Young Clinician Award
 Dr. Khalid Al-Ansari, Pediatric Emergency Center HMC
 Dr. Vinod Gauba, Imperial Heathcare Institute
 Dr. Nesrin El-Khatib, Royal Hayate Hospital

Excellence in Imaging and Diagnostics Award
 Al Ain Hospital, UAE
 SEHA, UAE
 Tawam Hospital, UAE

Excellence in Surgery Services Award
 Hamad General Hospital, Qatar
 Qatar Robotic Surgery Center and HMC, Qatar
 Saudi German Hospitals Group, KSA

Roche Excellence in Laboratory Services Award
 Al Khor Hospital, Qatar
 International Medical Center , KSA
 Mafraq Hospital, UAE
 HMG – Olaya Laboratory, KSA

Excellence in Patient Centred Care Award
 Egyptian Ambulance Organization, Egypt
 Interhealth Canada and Rashid Hospital, UAE
 King Fahad Medical City Children’s Hospital, KSA
 King Saud University College of Medicine, KSA

Excellence in Hospital Emergency Department Award
 Medcare Hospital Llc, UAE
 Pediatric Emergency Center HMC, Qatar
 Rashid Hospital, UAE

Human Resource Development Award
 Corniche Hospital, UAE
 Dr. Sulaiman Al Habib Medical Group (HMG), KSA
 SEHA, UAE

Excellence in Electronic Health Records Award
 Ambulatory Healthcare Services, UAE
 King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Center, KSA
 King Hamad University Hospital, Bahrain

Excellence in Patient Safety Award
 Al Ain Hospital, UAE
 American Hospital Dubai, UAE
 Bone Joint and Spine Hospital, KSA
 Canadian Specialist Hospital, UAE

“SEHA is very proud for being shortlisted in the Human Resource Development Award category for the 2012 Arab Health Awards. We worked hard for the last two years to conduct and implement a huge Human Resources Transformational project that affects all our Human Resources Practices and our 16,000 employees, and we did it very successfully. We are aiming to win the Award this year,” said Mohammad Al Hameli, Chief Supports Services Officer, SEHA.

The Sultan Bin Abdulaziz Award for Excellence in Rehabilitation Care will once again be awarded this year for outstanding contributions by an organisation or an individual in the field of rehabilitation care. This award will be shortlisted separately in January 2012.

“Over the last few years we have seen great progress made by governments, organisations and individuals in region to include rehabilitation services in a continuum of care,” Dr. Abdulaziz Al Shamekh, CEO, Sultan Bin Abdulaziz Humanitarian City. “We shall never stop innovating, creating new technologies and formulating new clinical pathways to ensure that the disabled receive the best possible care and all the opportunities that exist.”

For more information about the Arab Health Awards or to book at place at the Gala Dinner, please visit www.arabhealthonline.com or call +971 4 4072738.

-END-

Note to Editors

About Informa Exhibitions:
For more information about Informa Exhibitions, please visit www.informaexhibitions.com.

For media enquiries please contact:
Inga Stevens
PR and Social Media Manager
Life Science Division
Informa Exhibitions
T: +971 4 407 2743
F: +971 4 336 4021
inga.stevens@informa.com

“Amputation prevention needs to start with education at the Primary Healthcare level,” says Jan-Marie Morgan, Practice Development Nurse – Surgery, Rashid Hospital, Dubai, and Chair of the Middle East Wound Care Conference taking place on 23 January 2012 at the Arab Health Exhibition & Congress in Dubai. “When patients are diagnosed with diabetes, they have a responsibility to learn as much as they can about preventing the complications of uncontrolled blood sugar, such as blindness, kidney failure and amputation. We, as health care professionals, also have a responsibility to offer all the education that is required for a person with Diabetes to live a long and happy life.”

“I would love to be in the prevention business, but instead we are often trying to fix serious problems that were totally preventable from the beginning. People in the UAE are admitted to the hospital with severe foot infections or gangrene, and by that point it is often too late to help them,” she adds.

According to the Southern Arizona Limb Salvage Alliance or SALSA, USA, poorly controlled diabetes frequently results in nerve damage and poor circulation to the legs and feet. Patients gradually lose their ability to sense foot pain or symptoms of injury. This loss of protective sensation makes it easy for blisters, cuts, and sores to go unnoticed, leading to infection, foot ulcers, reduced mobility, and often major amputation.

“Diabetic foot care is not only a major issue for diabetic patients, but it may also pose a massive burden on our healthcare system,” says Ms. Morgan. “At the Middle East Wound Care Conference, we will be discussing the economic sense of good wound care management, as well as topics such as nutrition, education and best practice in wound care.”

More than 70,000 medical and healthcare professionals are expected to descend on the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre in January for the 37th Arab Health Exhibition and Congress. At the Arab Health Congress, around 6,000 delegates are attending 17 leading continuing medical education (CME) accredited conference streams. The event will be offering the equivalent of 40 days of continuing medical education, ensuring that patients in the Middle East are receiving world class medical care and diagnosis.

For more information about the Middle East Wound care Conference, please visit www.arabhealthonline.com, or call +971 4 407 2743.

-END-

Sources: Singh, Armstrong, Lipsky. J Amer Med Assoc 2005, Lavery, Armstrong, et al. Diabetes Care 2006

Note to Editors

About Informa Exhibitions:
For more information about Informa Exhibitions, please visit www.informaexhibitions.com.

About Rashid Hospital:
For more information about Rashid Hospital, please visit www.dha.gov.ae.

For media enquiries please contact:
Inga Stevens
PR and Social Media Manager
Life Science Division
Informa Exhibitions
T: +971 4 407 2743
F: +971 4 336 4021
inga.stevens@informa.com

Putting patients first – or the ‘Patient Experience’ – is the theme at the upcoming Leaders in Healthcare Congress taking place at Arab Health 2012 on 26th January in Dubai. Launched 4 years ago, Leaders in Healthcare has addresses specific topics under a certain theme each year with the aim of remaining one step ahead of the ever-evolving healthcare sector in the MENA region.

This year’s Chairman of Leaders in Healthcare Conference, Dr James Merlino, the Cleveland Clinic’s Chief Experience Officer, will be introducing the idea to the UAE that the patients take responsibility for their own future health under the theme ‘Patient Experience’.

According to Dr Merlino: “The Patient Experience is a key component of Cleveland Clinic’s strategic plan to achieve a coordinated delivery model that integrates patient-centered care with clinical outcomes, quality, safety, and employee experience. “Patients First” is the guiding principle of Cleveland Clinic and the organisation recognises that a formula of empathic customer service plus high quality, innovative medical care will lead to a better patient experience.”

Patient Experience is driven by two factors – processes of care linked by seamless transitions and cultural alignment around patient experience. Processes of care may include best practices such as reducing noise, improving communication among physicians, ensuring patient access and follow-up efforts – all of which enhances the overall healthcare operation.

“By creating an Office of Patient Experience in hospitals and healthcare facilities in the UAE, in addition to training employees on the importance of a service-oriented culture, a Patient Experience Office often serves as a doorway or facilitator for direct input from patients,” says Dr Merlino. “Patient Experience Offices can encompass a variety of programs and initiatives, but the goal is always the same – to put patients first and make their entire experience the best it can be.”

The 2012 Leaders in Healthcare conference will share the importance of the Patient Experience via addressing its impact at a national level. It will then address the commercial viability of the Patient Experience by monetising the emotional value it creates and measuring its success.

“Empowering the patient translates to the successful implementation of an efficient and productive healthcare system,” says Simon Page, Managing Director – Life Sciences, Informa Exhibitions – the organisers of Arab Health. “In other words, if the patient feels like they belong and if the hospital facility partners with him and his needs, the patient is more likely to comply thus creating and efficient and productive healthcare system. Hospitals in the UAE, as in the rest of the MENA region, have now realised the importance of their core cliental, the Patient. Consequently, healthcare now revolves around the patient and not vice versa.”

For more information about the Leaders in Healthcare Conference at Arab Health, please visit www.ahcongress.com or call +971 4 407 2743.

-END-

Note to Editors

About Informa Exhibitions:
For more information about Informa Exhibitions, please visit www.informaexhibitions.com.

About Cleveland Clinic:
For more information about Cleveland Clinic, please visit www.myclevelandclinic.org.

For media enquiries please contact:
Inga Stevens
PR and Social Media Manager
Life Science Division
Informa Exhibitions
T: +971 4 407 2743
F: +971 4 336 4021
inga.stevens@informa.com

Emirati traditions and culture were the spotlights of the day-long celebrations organized by TECOM Investments, a diversified conglomerate and a member of Dubai Holding, to mark the 40th UAE National Day.

TECOM Investments’ ICT Cluster comprising Dubai Internet City and Dubai Outsource Zone, Media Cluster, and Education Cluster collectively hosted the event that was attended by business partners and senior management including, Mohammad Abdullah, Managing Director of the Media Cluster, Dr Ayoub Kazim, Managing Director of the Education Cluster; Malek Al Malek, Managing Director of Dubai Internet City and Dubai Outsource Zone and Jamal Al Sharif, Managing Director of Dubai Media City and Dubai Studio City.

Mohammad Abdullah said: “As the UAE celebrates its 40th National Day, another important chapter opens in the nation’s efforts to achieve excellence and prosperity. TECOM Investments’ Media Cluster, comprising Dubai Media City, Dubai Studio City and International Media Production Zone, is proud of its significant contribution towards developing Dubai into a key global destination for the media sector. We pledge to continue our efforts to further raise the industry benchmark across the region.”

Malek Al Malek said: “This year the 40th UAE National Day pays special tribute to UAE’s achievement and progress accomplished under the guidance of its visionary leadership. The celebrations this year are a testament to the open door policy the country upholds in order to create a conducive environment at Dubai Internet City and Dubai Outsource Zone to attract global technology leaders under one umbrella.”

Dr. Ayoub Kazim said: “We congratulate the leadership of the UAE and Dubai as we join the National Day celebrations. We invite our student community and the youth from the wider Arab world to draw inspiration from our leaders who are outstanding role models. We call upon the youth to sincerely contribute to realizing our leaders’ vision to transform the UAE into a knowledge-based economy.”

The event held at the Dubai Media City Amphitheatre, featured Emirati folk dances, falconry demonstrations, camel rides, authentic cuisine, live cooking stations and a photo studio where visitors had their photographs taken in traditional clothes.

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About TECOM Investments

TECOM Investments, based in Dubai, is a member of Dubai Holding, a global company dedicated to knowledge and life-improving industries.

Home to over 4,500 companies, including major multinationals and many of the Fortune 500 companies, TECOM Investments interests also include exclusive investments in high-growth sectors.

One of TECOM Investments’ largest portfolio companies is TECOM Business Parks. It comprises 10 business parks under five industry clusters across the information and communication technology (ICT), media, education, sciences, as well as manufacturing and logistics sectors.

Dubai Internet City and Dubai Outsource Zone form the ICT Cluster, while Dubai Media City, Dubai Studio City and the International Media Production Zone make up the Media Cluster.

Dubai Knowledge Village and Dubai International Academic City are part of the Education Cluster. Dubai Biotechnology and Research Park and Energy and Environment Park (ENPARK) compose the Science Cluster.

Dubai Industrial City comes under the Manufacturing and Logistics Cluster of TECOM Business Parks.

Building on its domestic success and vision for global expansion, TECOM Investments has conceptualised SmartCity, a venture that aims to develop knowledge industry townships worldwide. The foundation has already been laid with the development of SmartCity Malta and SmartCity Kochi.

Apart from spurring cluster development by creating purpose-built facilities and working with the Dubai and Federal Governments to develop business-friendly policies and industry regulations, TECOM Investments also focuses on ‘pure play’ businesses.

eHosting DataFort is a managed IT and advisory services provider. Arab Media Group (AMG) is a leading media and entertainment organization in the UAE, with subsidiaries covering radio broadcasting, event management and outdoor advertising.

TECOM Investments also owns share capital in Empower, a district cooling service provider; Nexgen Advisory Group, a MENA-based specialized advisory and consulting services organisation; and Energy Management Services.

Contacts

Omar Alziri

APCO Worldwide

+ 971 4 446 6268

Oalziri@apcoworldwide.com

Dubai, Untied Arab Emirates – Monday, November 28th 2011 [ME NewsWire]

The inaugural Emirati Endurance Pentathlon, a first of its kind heritage-sports, proved to be a huge success, attracting over 5,000 spectators from all over the UAE. Conceived to pay tribute to the founding fathers of the nation on the occasion of the 40th National Day, the event held at Dubai Creek Park on 25 November 2011 saw the Emirati and expat community coming together to celebrate the UAE’s foundation and development.

The event concluded with a ceremony recognizing all the seven teams as the Champions of this first ever pentathlon.

The day-long event, organized in collaboration with the Dubai Sports Council and Dubai Municipality’s Public Parks and Horticulture Department, featured seven teams contesting in five traditional Emirati sports and activities. Athletes and spectators alike thronged the competition area to enjoy the sporting events, entertainment acts and family attractions.

Among the famous UAE sportsmen who made an appearance at the competition were retired UAE national team football players Ismail Rashid of Dubai, and Salem Johar of Ajman, who led two of the seven teams, and set the stage for a vibrant display of enthusiasm and sportsmanship across throughout the five stage competition.

The pentathlon included the very authentic ‘Shoosh’ boat racing that required contestants to paddle over a distance of 600 meters; pearl diving to a depth of six meters to fetch a dummy pearl and once again rowing back to shore; palm tree climbing, symbolizing the date picking technique; archery, where one member of each team aimed at standing targets with bows and arrows. The race concluded with a 250 meters horse race.

Qualified sports professionals from Dubai Sports Council, Dubai First and Dubai Municipality oversaw and managed the competition, following stringent rules to crown the winning team.

Ibrahim Al Ansari, Chief Executive Officer of Dubai First, said: “We feel very privileged to have been able to host this landmark event, and are grateful to the sportsmen and families for their enthusiastic support to this event. I’d also like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank the Dubai Sports Council for their commendable efforts and support in making this happen, and for the Dubai Municipality’s Public Parks and Horticulture Department for hosting the event at the wonderful Creek Park. We have enjoyed every moment of the high-energy day and are pleased to have created a social platform that revived traditional culture and we look forward to host another successful edition of the annual Emirati Endurance Pentathlon next year.”

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About Dubai First

Dubai First was established in 2007 and is one of the leading consumer finance companies in the UAE specializing in liability and credit card products. The company strategy is based on building sustainable long term value through innovation in harnessing a genuine customer service experience. Since inception, and with a strong, multi-cultural workforce of professionals, Dubai First sought out to develop a niche reputation in the consumer finance and credit cards sector. Fully operational out of Dubai, with a representative office in Abu Dhabi &Sharjah, Dubai First has managed to build a unique base of clients in the region.

Contacts

Mohamed Tahboub

Marketing, Assistant Vice President

Communications and PR Manager

Dubai First

+97156 6869715

“Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA) is a very common, serious, and unfortunately misdiagnosed condition,” says Dr. Amro Alastal, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine Consultant, American Hospital Dubai. “In the UAE and wider GCC, OSA affects around 4 to 5 per cent of the population. This is an estimate based on the number of patients we see in our practice, but the definite number is still debatable as population-based studies are still lacking.”

Other risk factors for OSA common in the region are family history; developmental abnormalities in the jaw, throat and neck; alcohol and sedative abuse; and some endocrine disorders.

“OSA has major implications on one’s physical and psychological wellbeing. High blood pressure, increased risk of diabetes, heart attacks and strokes, personality changes such as agitation, memory impairment, fatigue, and road traffic accidents are just some of the negative effects related to OSA,” explains Dr Alastal.

One of Dr Alastal’s most concerning cases was a pilot who dozed of for 50 minutes while flying a commercial airplane. The potentially fatal implications of this type of disruption to people’s ability to carry out their normal working routine cannot be ignored.

Dr Alastal said a change in attitude is needed to address the situation in the UAE. “Lifestyle can make sleep disorders worse and stress will only add to the problem. Public awareness plays a big role and we need to get the message out to the public to seek assistance from their doctor.”

The problem is not just with prevention and diagnosis of the condition, but also the financial implications of its management.

“Many insurance companies do not recognise OSA as a disease; they see it as ‘just snoring’ or ‘a waste of time’. But they don’t realise there are much higher healthcare costs – millions of dollars more – to spend on hypertension, heart failure and diabetes, all because sleep disorders are not treated,” says Dr. Hassan Alhariri, Head of Sleep Center, Rashid Hospital, Dubai.

The treatment of OSA depends very much on its severity, but it often starts with behavioral therapy. For mild cases of sleep apnea, sleeping on one’s side can prevent the tongue and palate from falling backwards in the throat and blocking the airway. Another is avoiding alcohol and sleeping pills. Physical or mechanical interventions can also be implemented. These options include positive airway pressure, splinting the airways open (CPAP) and dental appliances.

Both Dr Al Astal and Dr Alhariri will be discussing these topics at the 2nd Chronic Respiratory and Sleep Diseases Conference taking place on 23-24 January 2012 at the annual Arab Health Exhibition and Congress at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre.

For more information about Arab Health, please visit www.arabhealthonline.com or call +971 4 407 2743.

-END-

Note to Editors

About Informa Exhibitions:
For more information about Informa Exhibitions, please visit www.informaexhibitions.com.

About Rashid Hospital:
For more information about Rashid Hospital, please visit www.dha.gov.ae.

About American Hospital Dubai:
For more information about American Hospital Dubai, please visit www.ahdubai.com.

For media enquiries please contact:
Inga Stevens
PR and Social Media Manager
Life Science Division
Informa Exhibitions
T: +971 4 407 2743
F: +971 4 336 4021
inga.stevens@informa.com

Walk for Life
November 25 2011
Yas Marina Circuit, Abu Dhabi
Doors open at 3pm; Walk starts at 5pm
For entry tickets call 02 40 40 888

www.diabetesuae.ae

http://www.facebook.com/DiabetesUAE

Walk for Life Check List
• Make sure to wear comfortable, tried and tested walking shoes
• Avoid wearing casual flip flops or high heel shoes
• Keep yourself hydrated at all times by drinking plenty of water as you walk
• Drinking water will be available free-of-charge at the start line, in easy-to-carry bottles. Plus there will be water stations en-route
• If you feel tired, uneasy or unwell, alert your fellow walkers and seek the help of the first walkathon guide you see
• Take plenty of rest the night before and make sure you do some light exercise to warm up those muscles before the walk
• Bring your sunglasses and apply high-factor sun screen to protect your eyes and skin
• If you are in any doubt about your fitness level, please consult your doctor before joining us at Walk for Life 2011.
• If you are taking medication that will be needed during the walkathon timings, please bring it with you and remember to take it
Did you know?
• Adults need at least 30 minutes of moderate physical activity most days of the week and this can be as simple as walking briskly, or climbing the stairs.
• It’s clear that simple lifestyle changes can prevent diabetes and other related diseases.
• Research shows that the combination of a healthy diet, regular exercise, weight control and abstinence from tobacco has significant health benefits.
Exercise Made Easy For You!
• Take the stairs instead of using lifts.
• Go out for a short walk before breakfast, after dinner or both! Start with 5-10 minutes and work up to 30 minutes.
• Walk or cycle instead of driving short distances.
• Park further away from your office or home and walk the extra distance.
• Wear your walking shoes and walk around shopping malls, particularly in the warmer weather.
What makes a healthy diet?
A Healthy Diet is a diet designed to help promote health and prevent disease. A healthy and well-balanced diet should include a variety of foods from the major food groups: fruits, vegetables, whole grains, low-fat dairy products, lean protein, nuts and seeds, and healthy fats.

Is BMI a good indicator that we are in good shape, underweight or overweight?
There are a number of ways to determine if we are at an ideal weight.
Body Mass Index (BMI) is a number calculated from a person’s weight (in kilograms) and height (in metre squared). BMI = Weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared (weight (kg) / [height (m)]2).
BMI provides a reliable indicator of body fat for most people. If you made your BMI calculations, the number you get is an indicator of your body shape.
>18 : Underweight
18-24.9: Normal
25-29.9: Overweight
30 and above is Obese
It is important to mention that BMI calculations are not applicable to all people. For instance it will overestimate the amount of body fat for body builders, and pregnant woman. Also, BMI calculations will underestimate the amount of body fat for the elderly and people with a physical disability who are unable to walk and may have muscle wasting.
Another way of determining if your weight may be putting your health at risk is through waist circumference. This can be a better predictor of health risk than BMI. Having fat around the stomach regardless of your body size, means you are more likely to develop certain obesity-related health conditions. Fat mainly deposited around the hips and buttocks doesn’t appear to have the same risk. Normal weight circumference for men is 102 cm and for women is 88 cm.
What challenges can being overweight bring?
If you are overweight, you are more likely to develop health problems, such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes, certain types of cancer, gout (joint pain caused by excess uric acid). Many overweight people have difficulty reaching their healthy body weight. However if you are overweight, studies have shown that loosing at least 5-7% of your current weight can improve your overall health.
Is the healthy diet enough for preventing diabetes?
A healthy lifestyle not a healthy diet alone is able to help reduce the risk of developing diabetes type 2. A healthy lifestyle includes both a balanced and varied diet along with physical activity. Brisk walking 30 minutes a day, five days a week reduces risk of diabetes by 58 per cent.

Fruit and Vegetables
Try to include vegetables and fresh fruit in all meals – this is important to protect your heart. Aim for five portions of fruit and vegetables each day, these can be fresh, frozen or tinned.

Cut Down On Fat
Cut down on the fat in your food to protect your heart. Two of the major diet aims are to reduce the risk of heart disease and reduce your weight. Fats and oils (no matter what kind) in large amounts are bad for your heart, so eat less of these. They are also very high in energy so, reducing your use of fats and oils will help you lose weight.

Try Low Fat Spreads Encourage your family away from full fat milk to a lower fat milk, such as semi-skimmed or skimmed and reduce the amount of cheese you eat. Make yoghurt using skimmed milk or buy low fat types. Cream and chocolate covered biscuits and cakes should only be eaten on occasions, as should pies and pastries.

Go Easy With The Salt
Cutting your salt intake will help to control your blood pressure. Try herbs and spices instead.

Keep Active
Include some regular exercise in your daily routine. Keeping active can help strengthen your heart, maintain an ideal body weight, decrease blood fats and blood pressure.

It’s that time of year again. Under the patronage of Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, Walk for Life – the annual walkathon from the Imperial College London Diabetes Centre (ICLDC) and The National Health Insurance Company Daman – will take place at Yas Marina Circuit on November 25 2011.

Walk for Life draws the attention of the nation to the importance of regular exercise as part of a healthy lifestyle practice. Making the case for a brisk walk, the annual walkathon first stepped out five years ago and has already attracted more than 45,000 people of all ages!

In 2009, the walkathon moved from Abu Dhabi Corniche to the Yas Marina Circuit. More than 15,000 are expected to attend the event again this year, complete with lots of fun-filled activities to entertain the whole family as they learn how regular exercise through walking means healthy living.

Dr Maha Taysir Barakat, ICLDC’s Medical and Research Director and Consultant Endocrinologist, confirmed that exercise is known to contribute enormous benefits to health.
“A sedentary lifestyle and a poorly-balanced diet are likely to lead to excess body weight which in turn can eventually manifest as type 2 diabetes.”

She said that it is possible to manage and even prevent diabetes by adopting a balanced diet and taking regular exercise, such as a brisk walk each day.

Meanwhile, Daman’s Chief Executive Officer, Dr Michael Bitzer said that Daman continues to support public awareness initiatives as part of the company’s on-going commitment to the health and wellbeing of the UAE.

“We remain firmly behind Walk for Life as year after year it draws the attention of the nation to the importance of regular exercise as part of a healthy lifestyle practice,” Dr Bitzer said.

Here’s why you shouldn’t think twice about joining Walk for Life:
• You will be part of a nationwide initiative that promotes healthy living through taking regular brisk walk
• You can join your family and friends and exercise together in a fun-filled environment

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For more infomation:
Susan Furness at Strategic Solutions for ICLDC
Tel.: + 9714 3903018, Mobile: + 97150 6556126
Email: susan@strategicsolutionsonline.com

About Imperial College London Diabetes Centre

Imperial College London Diabetes Centre is a one-stop, state-of-the-art, out-patient facility that specialises in diabetes treatment, research, training and public health awareness, with two centres – one each in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain.

The purpose-built centres are an initiative of Mubadala Healthcare, in partnership with the UK’s Imperial College London. Mubadala Healthcare, a division of Mubadala Development Company, is specifically dedicated to investment in strategic, high value and economically sustainable projects that meaningfully enhance the private healthcare infrastructure of Abu Dhabi and the UAE.

The launch of ICLDC in 2006 is testament to the vision of Mubadala Healthcare to develop projects that protect and enhance the nation’s health. ICLDC has offered diabetes prevention, education and treatment to more than 100,000 people.

‘Diabetes-Knowledge-Action’ is ICLDC’s award-winning public health awareness campaign. It was launched in 2007 under the patronage of HH Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, in partnership with The Emirates Foundation for Philanthropy.

ICLDC Abu Dhabi holds the Joint Commission International (JCI) Clinical Care Program Certification (CCPC) in Diabetes Management and JCI Accreditation for Ambulatory Care. When the Centre received the awards it became the only healthcare provider worldwide to hold both certifications and the first facility in the Middle East and third globally to hold JCI’s highly-acclaimed CCPC specifically for the clinical management of diabetes

Istanbul, Turkey November 2011: The outlook of the Turkish tourism industry is more buoyant than ever, with an increasing number of international and local hotel companies investing in the sector, said Jonathan Worsley, Chairman of Bench Events, co-organiser of the Central Asia and Turkey Hotel Investment Conference (CATHIC), to be held in Istanbul from February 6-8 2012.

“It is the ideal time to invest in Turkey’s hospitality sector with international tourist arrivals expected reach 33 million by 2012[1]. Indeed, more than 1.4[2] million Arab visitors are recorded so far this year.”

Figures reveal that the tourism sector is currently contributing 11 per cent year on year economic growth, with Istanbul seeing a 30 per cent increase in tourist revenue for 2011. Worsley noted that this sets the pace for Turkey to achieve its goal of welcoming 70 million tourist arrivals by 2023 – the 100th Anniversary of the Republic.

Meanwhile, Mehmet Önkal, Managing Partner, BDO Hospitality Consulting in Turkey warned that investment in the sector is crucial.

“One of the key drivers of sustainable development is the consistent flow of investment and Turkey is lucky as it does not face the same challenges with financing as other markets. There does however need to be a more strategic drive that appreciates the needs of the market, as well as recognition of the unique requirements of a hotel development, as opposed to other asset classes.”

Önkal said that Turkey is at the beginning of a property boom and that investors and stakeholders have yet to fully identify and utilise the investment opportunities presented by the tourism and hospitality sector, proven to be a catalyst for economic growth.

Worsley said that the upcoming CATHIC will address both the opportunities and challenges, specifically those related to the availability of capital. “We will be joined by representatives from major Turkish banks and will discuss hotel financing structures and lending criteria, as well as issues involved in ensuring properties provide long term return on investment for owners”.

The conference programme includes speakers with knowledge and expertise in regional and international hotel development, finance, hotel branding and operations, plus sessions giving perspectives from industry analysts.

Key speakers at CATHIC 2012 include Cevdet Akcay, Chief Economist, Yapi Kredi Bank; Denis Hennequin, President & CEO, Accor SA; Eric Danziger, President & Chief Executive Officer, Wyndham Hotel Group; Angela Brav, Chief Executive Officer – Europe, IHG; Kurt Ritter, President & CEO, The Rezidor Hotel Group; Atilla Ozturk, CEO & Board Member, ASTAY; Serdar Bilgili, Chairman, Bilgili Holding; Simon Vincent, President – Europe, Hilton Worldwide; Roeland Vos, President EAME, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide; and Lado Sakvarelidze, Chief Financial Officer, Redix.

In addition to the conference programme, CATHIC offers various networking opportunities, as well as an exhibition. Delegates will have ample opportunity to meet other participants, discuss opportunities and to do business.
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Platinum sponsors BDO, Corinthia Hotels, Dedeman Hotels & Resorts International, Hilton Worldwide, Starwood Hotels & Resorts, Moroccan Agency for Tourism Development (SMIT), Marmara Hotels & Residences, Wyndham Hotel Group

Gold sponsors Accor Hospitality, AECOM Design + Planning, Best Western International, Carlson & The Rezidor Hotel Group, Horwath HTL, Hyatt International, InterContinental Hotels Group, Jones Lang LaSalle Hotels, Jumeirah Group, Marriott International, Inc, Orient-Express Hotels, Rixos Hotels, Servotel Corporation, The Rezidor Hotel Group, T&T Consulting, WATG

Media partners Destinations of the World News, Europaproperty, Global Hotel Network.com, Hotel Analyst, Hotel Management, Hsyndicate, Hurriyet Daily Travel News, Istanbul Deluxe, Oxford Business Group, Sleeper Magazine

Supporters International Tourism Partner (ITP), EHL, World Toursim & Travel Council (WTTC), Cornell School of Hotel Administration, Turkish Investors Association (TYD), EMITT

NOTE TO EDITORS:
Central Asia and Turkey Hotel Investment Conference (CATHIC) – February 6th – 8th 2012, Ceylan Intercontinental, Istanbul. To register to attend this event, and for details of the conference programme, please visit www.cathic.com

CATHIC is co-organised by Bench Events and Questex Media, who also organise the Russia and CIS Hotel Investment Conference, Arabian Hotel Investment Conference, International Hotel Investment Forum Asia Pacific and the International Hotel Investment Forum Berlin.

About the Turkish Tourism Investors Association
(Türkiye Turizm Yatırımcıları Dernegi -TYD)
Established in 1988, TYD is a private, non-governmental association comprising the principal tourism investors in Turkey. TYD members represent two thirds of all private investment in tourism in Turkey. The organisation’s objectives include increasing Turkey’s share of the global tourism industry, bringing together entrepreneurs who wish to invest in the tourism sector, and promoting the importance of the tourism sector to the Turkish economy to a wide audience. TYD members represent two thirds of private investment in tourism in Turkey and the organisation works with government and non-governmental organisations in furthering its objectives. For further information, please visit www.ttyd.org.tr

About Bench Events
Bench Events has a long track record in hosting the premier hotel investment events in Europe and the Middle East. Bench Events’ Chairman, Jonathan Worsley, is one of the organisers and founders of the highly successful International Hotel Investment Forum now in its fourteenth year (www.berlinconference.com). In 2005, he was responsible for launching the Arabian Hotel Investment Conference in Dubai (www.arabianconference.com); in 2008 launched the Russia & CIS Hotel Investment Conference (www.russia-cisconference.com) and in 2011 will premier the Central Asia and Turkey Hotel Investment Conference (www.cathic.com). Bench Events’ sister company, JW Bench, is a benchmarking company that has successfully launched the Conference Bench and the Productivity Bench. An industry first, the Conference Bench, measures performance data for conference and banqueting space in hotels 10 cities throughout Europe and the Middle East. www.benchevents.com

About HotelWorld Network – Questex Media Group LLC
The HotelWorld Network encompasses a series of publications and live events that provide news and networking to the largest group of hospitality professionals in the industry. HotelWorld Network delivers hotel industry news through its print publications Hotel & Motel Management and Hotel Design magazines in addition to its innovative breaking-news portal www.hotelworldnetwork.com. The HotelWorld Network also offers cutting-edge educational content and valuable networking opportunities via its International Hotel Investment Forum (IHIF) Berlin, IHIF Asia Pacific, Russia & CIS Hotel Investment Conference, Distressed Hotels Summit, Central Asia & Turkey Hotel Investment Forum, HotelWorld Asia, and transform: design differently.

www.diabetesuae.ae

http://www.facebook.com/DiabetesUAE

Abu Dhabi, UAE, World Diabetes Day November 14 2011: Under the patronage of Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, Walk for Life – the annual walkathon from the Imperial College London Diabetes Centre and The National Health Insurance Company Daman – will take place at Yas Marina Circuit on November 25 2011.

Now in its fifth year, Walk for Life has encouraged over 45,000 people to join in and consider the role of regular exercise in a healthy lifestyle. More than 15,000 are expected to attend the fun-filled family event again this year.

According to Dr Maha Taysir Barakat, ICLDC’s Medical and Research Director and Consultant Endocrinologist, exercise is known to contribute enormous benefits to health.

“A sedentary lifestyle and a poorly-balanced diet are likely to lead to excess body weight which in turn can eventually manifest as type 2 diabetes,” she said.

Dr Maha confirmed that it is possible to manage and even prevent diabetes by adopting a balanced diet and taking regular exercise, such as a brisk walk each day.

Meanwhile, Daman’s Chief Executive Officer, Dr Michael Bitzer said that Daman continues to support public awareness initiatives as part of the company’s on-going commitment to the health and wellbeing of the UAE.

“We remain firmly behind Walk for Life as year after year it draws the attention of the nation to the importance of regular exercise as part of a healthy lifestyle practice,” Dr Bitzer said.

Walk for Life is part of ICLDC’s award-winning public health awareness campaign, ‘Diabetes-Knowledge-Action’.

This year, the afternoon of interactive family entertainment – including fun fitness activities, musical acts, drumming and more – kicks off at 3pm on November 25. The Walk starts at 5pm. Log onto www.diabetesuae.ae for more details.
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For media enquiries:
Susan Furness at Strategic Solutions for ICLDC
Tel.: + 9714 3903018, Mobile: + 97150 6556126
Email: susan@strategicsolutionsonline.com

About Imperial College London Diabetes Centre

Imperial College London Diabetes Centre is a one-stop, state-of-the-art, out-patient facility that specialises in diabetes treatment, research, training and public health awareness, with two centres – one each in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain.

The purpose-built centres are an initiative of Mubadala Healthcare, in partnership with the UK’s Imperial College London. Mubadala Healthcare, a division of Mubadala Development Company, is specifically dedicated to investment in strategic, high value and economically sustainable projects that meaningfully enhance the private healthcare infrastructure of Abu Dhabi and the UAE.

The launch of ICLDC in 2006 is testament to the vision of Mubadala Healthcare to develop projects that protect and enhance the nation’s health. ICLDC has offered diabetes prevention, education and treatment to more than 100,000 people.

‘Diabetes-Knowledge-Action’ is ICLDC’s award-winning public health awareness campaign. It was launched in 2007 under the patronage of HH Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, in partnership with The Emirates Foundation for Philanthropy.

ICLDC Abu Dhabi holds the Joint Commission International (JCI) Clinical Care Program Certification (CCPC) in Diabetes Management and JCI Accreditation for Ambulatory Care. When the Centre received the awards it became the only healthcare provider worldwide to hold both certifications and the first facility in the Middle East and third globally to hold JCI’s highly-acclaimed CCPC specifically for the clinical management of diabetes.