10,000 steps a day: Capital employees join Walking Challenge
abu dhabi — More than 48 national companies in the Capital are joining together in reaching 10,000 steps per day for each employee, as part of Imperial College London Diabetes Centre (ICLDC) ‘Walking Challenge’.
The initiative invites the companies to enlist 50 employees each to walk a minimum of 10,000 steps per day until ICLDC’s annual walk in November.
The challenge is part of the centre’s award-winning public health awareness campaign ,‘ Diabetes. Knowledge. Action ,’ which aims to promote behavioural change through motivating employers to create a work culture that supports employees’ health and encourages them to be physically active.
The Walking Challenge was officially launched on April 17 in Al Ain and on April 23 in Abu Dhabi. Participants received pedometers and must report their monthly step counts from May 1.
The ICLDC will present a prize to the person who walks the most steps each month and a trophy to the company that cumulatively collects the highest number of steps each month, and grand prizes to the overall highestscoring walkers during the walk in November.
Dr Safdar Naqvi, executive and medical director at the ICLDC, said: “Diabetes is a condition that affects almost 20 per cent of the UAE population. However, there are ways to reduce the risk.”
“The purpose of our annual Walking Challenge is to motivate people to take up regular physical activity. We are dedicated to caring for the holistic health and well-being of the local population of Abu Dhabi and Al Ain.”
The ICLDC regularly engages with the community to raise awareness of diabetes and related conditions, and promote a healthy lifestyle. With the support of Department of Health — Abu Dhabi, the Abu Dhabi Sports Council and sister companies Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi and Healthpoint from the Mubadala network, the centre holds the annual walk as part of its‘ Diabetes. Knowledge. Action’ campaign.