Tourism & Hospitality | Sunday 15 November, 2015 8:28 am |

Hili Mall, the largest community shopping centre in Al Ain city, is sponsoring World Diabetes Day 2015 activities that was held at Al Ain Zoo yesterday (Saturday, 14th November). The edutainment activities were designed to raise awareness among residents, patients and their families of making informed eating decisions and discovering how healthy eating habits can protect our collective future and prevent diabetes.

 

The event took place in affiliation with Al Ain Zoo, Tawam Hospital, Mediclinic Middle East, Hili Rayhaan by Rotana, Dr. Nutrition Hili Mall branch, Fitness First Ladies Only branch, and Baby Shop Hili Mall branch.

 

The day-long activities, lasted from 3:00pm - 6:00pm and included a walkathon, kids’ and family activities, a lecture on nutrition and changing lifestyles by Tawam Hospital, free medical tests for blood sugar, cholesterol level, and blood pressure by Mediclinic, free tests using Dr. Nutrition equipment, and warm-up exercises jointly organised by Fitness First and Hili Rayhaan.

 

The activities highlighted risk factors for Type 2 diabetes, including obesity and overweight, lack of exercise, previously identified glucose intolerance, unhealthy diet, increased age, high blood pressure and high cholesterol, besides others.

 

“Hili Mall has always been a supporter of similar initiatives in Al Ain city,” said Khalid Shraim, General Manager of Hili Mall. “We are delighted to continue our commitment to raising awareness and supporting the community of Al Ain by all possible means.”

 

“We are not only a shopping or entertainment destination, but we also hold a responsibility for community welfare. We recently organised Breast Cancer Awareness Day to encourage women to undergo breast screening, and organised many other similar activities,” added Shraim.

 

Access to the event at Al Ain Zoo was free of charge, and families were advised to undertake simple tests on that day. The event featured multidisciplinary booths for pediatric and adult diabetes, nutrition for diabetes, health education and mental health designed to encourage attendees to participate in various activities themed around healthy living and diabetes prevention.