UAE: Prizes exceeding over $5000 for Reduction of blood sugar levels and weight loss
During the three months of the diabetes challenge, residents changed their sleep patterns, habits, and lifestyle.
Zahid Hussain, a Pakistani national, has experienced nothing but inspiration over the past three months. The 39-year-old diabetic became one of the RAK Diabetes Challenge 2023 winners after he worked really hard to lower his blood glucose levels.
The three-month challenge began on August 18 and involved up to 5,000 inhabitants of the United Arab Emirates. Its main goal was to raise awareness.
"I feel like a 22-year-old young man - more energetic and happier," Hussain declared after winning a Dh5,000 cash prize and lowering his HbA1c (blood sugar) readings from 10.49 to 6.59.
Hussain has a straightforward yet strict regimen. "I changed my diet to low-calorie foods, added a lot of green veggies, worked out for more than five hours, and drank more than six liters of water every day."
The Ras Al Khaimah shipping professional followed his regimen religiously and lost weight naturally. Hussain continued, "I started the challenge weighing 88 kg, and after losing 15 kg, I weigh 73 kg."
Hussain stated, "I am determined to continue this routine and try to drop my HbA1c levels even further," and he was much supported by his family.
Inam ul Hassan, the CFO of a company and a resident of Ras Al Khaimah, was another participant who reduced his blood sugar levels. After more than 25 years in Australia, he relocated to the UAE two years ago.
Hassan stated, "I was able to bring my HbA1c level down to 8.9 at the end of this competition. It was around 12 in August."
To do so, the 54-year-old foreigner managed his nutrition and sleep schedule. "I used fewer seasonings in my cooking, ate more veggies and greens, and had excellent sleep. I chose to walk more and carried out my workouts at home," Hassan stated.
Hassan remarked, "It's a great initiative to make residents healthy and fit."
With a focus on dietary modifications and consistent exercise for efficient diabetes management, the challenge seeks to instill new lifestyle habits. At the prize ceremony, there was grace. Director of the Ministry of Health and Prevention (Mohap) in Ras Al Khaimah is Khalid Abdulla Mohammed AlShehhi.
The competitors competed in three different categories: corporate, virtual, and physical. The 12-week challenge ended on November 14, World Diabetes Day.
HbA1c values among the participants showed a noteworthy improvement, averaging a drop from 8.60 to 6.50, along with an average weight loss of 5 kg.
Sapana Joshi Chattani Prakash, a 42-year-old Dubai resident who works as a teacher, won the female category and received a Dh5,000 cash prize. Her HbA1c dropped from 8.85 to 6.5.
Cash awards of Dh3,000 and Dh2,000 were given to the male and female second and third place winners, respectively.
Vinod Kumar Sasidharanasan and Rejeena Saji won the virtual category for men and women, respectively. The winners received gift cards from a variety of sponsors, as well as intriguing prizes like gym memberships and stays in five-star hotels. The top 10 competitors in each category also earned a free RAK Hospital Swiss Health Check Voucher, valued at Dh1,500.
According to Dr. Raza Siddiqui, executive director of RAK Hospital, the fight against diabetes represents a significant advancement in the transition of society from sickness to health. "These statistics highlight the clear association between weight and diabetes, with nearly all participants registering above their normal healthy weight range," Dr. Siddiqui stated.