A Proposal for University Community Partnership to Control Diabetes

Ruqaiya M. Al Balushi^1*, Sayed M.Shah^2*
1Department of Nutrition and Health, College of Food and Agriculture,²Institute of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates.

^*Corresponding Authors: Dr. Ruqaiya Al Balushi: [email protected] & Dr. Sayed Shah: [email protected]

ABSTRACT
The primary prevention of chronic diseases such as diabetes is a public health priority in the Gulf countries due to the exacting toll it places on peoples’ health and on the healthcare system.  Recently, several randomized trials among adults have confirmed that type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) can be prevented or delayed with lifestyle intervention programs promoting improvements in  diet, increased physical activity, and weight loss. Translation of these lifestyle interventions to address the knowledge-to-practice gap to prevent T2DM in Gulf countries remains a major challenge.Research is needed to determine optimal ways to deliver lifestyle that are contextually and culturally appropriate, low-cost, feasible, and sustainable to prevent diabetes in adults.

Keywords: Lifestyle Intervention, Type 2 Diabetes, Adolescents, Gulf Countries

Citation: Al Balushi RM, Shah SM. A proposal for university community partnership to control diabetes. Canad J Clin Nutr 2016; 4 (1): 1-3.

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.14206/canad.j.clin.nutr.2016.01.01