1,000 cyclists take first step in warding off diabetes menace
PUTRAJAYA: Nearly a thousand cyclists from as young as six hit the streets of the federal administrative capital in support of the “Putrajaya Cycle to Change Diabetes” campaign.
The event, held in conjunction with the World Diabetes Day, was organised by the Putrajaya Hospital and sponsored by Novo Nordisk, a healthcare company and a world leader in diabetes care.
It is aimed at increasing awareness on diabetes and encouraging the public to stay active and live a healthy lifestyle.
The cyclists, many of whom arrived as early as 6am, rode in four categories – 40km, 10km, 1km and 500m, the last was for minors.
As it was a non-competitive event, cyclists, astride various types and sizes of bicycles, took their sweet time to complete the distance.
Putrajaya Hospital head of endocrinology unit Dr Zanariah Hussein hoped that the event would spur the public to become more pro-active in caring for their health.
Novo Nordisk Malaysia general manager HenrikBendix Dahl said with many Malaysian adults living with diabetes, Malaysians really had to cut down on their sugar intake.
“It is a serious situation for a young country like Malaysia to have a high ratio of people with diabetes.
“Malaysians have to seriously watch their diet and exercise regularly as a lot of money will be needed in years to come to treat diabetes patients if they do not start to care for their health now,” he added
Source: The Star
Published: 10 Nov 2013
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