World Kidney Day 2017 Event in Putrajaya for ‘Healthy Lifestyle, Healthy Kidneys’
Malaysian Society of
Nephrology invites the public to join the fun cycling and walk event
The World Kidney Day 2017 (WKD17) is an annual
event and this year’s focus is on healthy lifestyle to prevent obesity as obesity can lead to chronic kidney
disease. Obesity remains the number one preventable risk factor for chronic
kidney disease because obesity largely mediates diabetes and hypertension, the
2 most common etiologies for end-stage kidney disease. Overweight and obese people are
also more prone to develop albuminuria and, for at least some types of kidney
disease, a greater amount of albuminuria and more rapid progression of renal
failure. Apart from that, obesity also leads to high blood pressure, heart
disease, stroke, arthritis and other serious health problems.
According
to WKD17 organising chair, Dr Lily Mushahar, senior consultant nephrologist,
Hospital Tuanku Jaafar, one of the more effective ways of making Malaysians
slim down to a healthier weight is through proper education, exposure and
awareness. Dr Lily said that eating has become a part of our local culture. Our
local food, especially those with high calorie content is one of the
contributing factors to the high prevalence of obesity amongst Malaysians.
“We are a
multicultural nation with a wide selection of delicious delicacies. However, most
of these foods are usually made up of glutinous rice, coconut milk with a high
content of sugar. What we can do is to educate everyone on this epidemic and
create awareness for a better, healthier lifestyle through this national level
World Kidney Day 2017 on the 18th of March, with the Cycling Convoy
flagging off from Hospital Serdang to Taman Botani, Fun Run, Zumba and a lot
more activities that promote and encourage healthy lifestyle. This
year’s WKD17 celebration is special as it started off with a group of 30
cyclists pedalled 633KM from Kangar to Putrajaya over 6 days – all in a bid to
raise awareness regarding the importance of healthy lifestyle, exercise to
combat obesity and kidney diseases! The journey involves 16 pit stops
where the 30 cyclists will spread health messages and collect signatures on a banner,
which will be officially given to the Deputy Health Minister on the 18th
of March at Putrajaya during the official launce of WKD17 celebration. ” said Dr
Lily.
Major
private companies such as Lucenxia, Baxter, Fresenius, Sanofi, Kyowa Kirin,
Roche and AJ Pharma are also helping to promote and sponsor the event.
“This
program is very interesting because not only
will there be fun and healthy activities that everyone can participate, but
there will also be a talk on kidney health awareness and how to take care of
them. Being obese is very closely linked to chronic kidney diseases which can
be prevented if more people are aware of their unhealthy eating habits and
their sedentary urban lifestyle that lacks exercise,” added Dr Lily.
There
will be free health screening including measurement of body mass index, blood
glucose level and blood pressure measurement.
There will also be various booths promoting health, outdoor activity equipment
and a blood donation campaign at Taman Botani Putrajaya this March 18, 2017.
According
to the findings by World Health Organization, about 600 million of the world
population were overweight and about 41 million of children under the age of 5 years
are either overweight or obese.
Revealed
recently by Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr S. Subramaniam, obese Malaysians make
up 17.7 percent while the ones that are overweight make up about 30 percent,
bringing the percentage to 47.7 percent in total. Statistically, Malaysia is
the most obese country in Asia and the officials blame it on the high calorie
diet and sedentary urban lifestyle.
The health minister has also warned that the country is in the midst of obesity
epidemic.
For more
information on World Kidney Day 2017 and for registration, please visit http://goo.gl/zMQehB for fun run, and http://goo.gl/NpKmJK for fun
cycling ride.
No comments:
Post a Comment