Quiz shows, cookery lessons and consultations formed the basis of activities for last week’s programme at the Family Health Festival, an official DSF 2010 event. The month-long popular mall-based campaign which is offering lifestyle advice as it visits shopping centres throughout the city has been endorsed by the UAE Ministry of Health and has made it its mission to improve the wellbeing of the emirate’s residents and visitors.
Practical activities being made available at Family Health Festival 2010 include cookery stations for demonstrations on how to rustle-up healthy meals, power yoga exercise classes and free medical consultations. Health checks being carried out on-site include blood sugar testing, cholesterol measurements, body mass index calculations and blood pressure monitoring. The campaign’s aim of helping people to achieve a healthier lifestyle has been made possible through the support of the Dubai Shopping Festival (DSF); the first of the yearly fixtures on the city’s calendar of major events.
This year’s Family Health Festival follows on from 2009’s successful inaugural event, with the current edition dedicated to tackling the weighty subject of obesity. One new initiative that is being made available this year is the ‘Cut that Fat’ challenge; a specially devised program that allows participants to join a nationwide drive towards a healthier lifestyle. An online portal allows those who sign up for the contest to choose an activity of their choice, select a variety of low calorie dietary options, monitor their diet in the comfort of their own home and keep a tab on their progress at their own pace. Details on how to register can be found at: www.CutThatFat.com.
The schedule of activities and advice at Family Health Festival 2010 has been designed to be relevant for the entire family and is being made free-of-charge through sponsorship from international and local health organisations including Astra Zeneca, Green Crescent Insurance Company and Jebel Ali Hospital. The week two programme took place at Wafi and the Arabian Center and the event has now moved to Lamcy Plaza and The Dubai Mall, where it is hosting ‘edutainment’ activities for grown-ups and children. Family Health Festival 2010 wraps up on February 28, when DSF concludes.
Further information about Family Health Festival 2010 can be found at the website: www.FamilyHealthFestival.net, which includes the campaign’s entire schedule and list of participating malls. Family Health Festival 2010 is conceptualised and executed by ExHealth.
