With nearly three-fourth of the UAE being obese and over 250 million obese adults worldwide, the World Health Organization (WHO) considers obesity as a major public health problem. It is predicted that, by 2015, over 700 million adults will be pronounced obese worldwide. Closer home, UAE records one of the highest rates of obesity in the world.
VLCC, Middle East's premier scientific slimming, beauty and preventive healthcare brand, has stood up to this shocking statistic by taking the first step to put up a united fight against the surge of obesity in UAE. With the active involvement of the medical fraternity and health authorities, VLCC has designated November 26 as the Anti Obesity Day – which is observed every year in UAE and India.
This year VLCC has taken special heed to UAE's most menacing health hazards like diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, hypertension and Poly-Cystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) and declared their relentless aim to reduce the adversities of these chronic illnesses by combating the critical issue of obesity.
"The WHO attributes obesity as one of the primary conditions for the illnesses that claim the most shocking figures in the UAE. An obese person is three times more likely to contract heart diseases and hypertension. 30% of our female clientele come to us with complains about PCOS due to overweight. At VLCC we have controlled side effects of Type A diabetes in patients by reducing their weight. These statistics urged us to spread more awareness of the adversities of obesity and encourage people to control their weight in order to reduce their risks of chronic or fatal illness," says Vandana Luthra, Founder & Mentor of VLCC.
Like every year for the past ten years, this year too VLCC has taken initiative for raising public awareness on the risks of obesity across the UAE using all mediums including above & below the line advertisement, public relations and community involved activities.
On the 29th of November2009 VLCC has planned a special panel discussion by gathering medical practitioners and health authorities themed Obesity: The problem is bigger than it appears. The panel discussion will explore the perceptions and realities of obesity in the UAE with speakers and experts bringing out the intrinsic and crucial aspects obesity.
"There is more to obesity than meets the eye. What the world sees as an overweight person is also the hub of numerous diseases. As experts in the field of weight management and obesity it was important for VLCC to research and understand the perceptions and misconceptions that are associated with obesity. Through this panel discussion we want to raise the awareness of how tackling obesity can be an important way to control the diseases that are rampant in the modern, urban world.
Our aim with this panel is to gather different opinion formers to bring this message to the forefront and lead the fight against unhealthy lifestyles," says Luthra about the panel discussion.
To further strengthen public awareness on the Anti Obesity Drive, VLCC will also be organizing their second annual Cycle-o-thon. This 5km cycle-o-thon is VLCC's way of urging the public to participate and raise awareness for the cause of fighting obesity. This year the VLCC cycle-o-thon will be supported by the Dubai Pulse, the Physical Activity Program inaugurated by the Dubai Sports Council.
Last year the Cycle-o-thon gathered over 500 participants. This year the cycle-o-thon is planned to take place on December 17th, at Jumeirah Beach Road, commencing from Port Rashid, next to the biggest flag of UAE.
In order to provide comprehensive information on the drive, VLCC has created a dedicated website - www.antiobesityday.com - which is the answer to all your queries on obesity including tips, advise on physical activities and even revealing beauty secrets. Visitors to the site can also calculate their BMI instantly.
For the latest activities on Anti Obesity drive please visit www.vlccinternational.com and www.antiobesityday.com
"VLCC's Anti Obesity Day marks our mission to create awareness about obesity and related diseases in the region. With this comprehensive drive VLCC is attempting to not only tackle the huge onslaught of the ailment in UAE but to also change society's behavior towards healthy living", comments a passionate Luthra about VLCC's relentless fight against obesity.
