A new health initiative expo, Abu Dhabi Alive, is taking place later this month with the intention of educating the city’s residents on how to lead healthier lives. TOAD spoke to Hayete Jemai, exhibition director at Informa Exhibitions, to find out more.
What message is Abu Dhabi Alive trying to get across to visitors?
Abu Dhabi Alive is a new health and wellbeing show in the UAE offering an opportunity for everyone to try out new sports and activities, and learn how to change their lifestyle habits for a healthier future. It is the first event of its kind where visitors can enjoy the fresh air whilst taking part in fun-filled health and fitness features such as interactive games, a climbing wall, fitness classes and cooking demonstrations, as well as getting involved in a range of sports they have never tried before.
Is the event targeted at any particular age group?
The event is open to people of all ages. It is the perfect opportunity for anyone from any walk of life to kick-start a new, healthy way of living. It’s also great for those who are already fit and healthy!
Who will be exhibiting at the event? How did you go about selecting the right partners for an event like this?
We have a huge variety of exhibitors offering tips and advice on how to lead a healthy lifestyle. Principal sponsor Activelife by Daman will be offering free body composition assessments, live fitness classes, free gifts for visitors when they play the ‘wheel of health’ game as well as performing live street dancing shows on stage.
Lotus Holistic Alternative Medical Centre will also be on site promoting their holistic concepts which aim to help prevent stress and disease caused by life in the fast lane. Visitors can learn how traditional Chinese medicine, Reiki and homeopathy can improve their quality of life as well.
Abu Dhabi Sports Council will also be on hand throughout the exhibition, promoting their vision of using the culture of sport professionalism, as well as systematic performance methods, to create a sport-proactive environment that will provide ample opportunities to develop sport and investment in Abu Dhabi.
Other exhibitors signed up include diet centre Slim’n Lite, which will be offering live cooking demonstrations, Natural Care from Jordan which will be giving out free medical and cosmetic product samples, Palmer’s Cocoa Butter, RSU Healthcare which will provide free eye screening tests, and UNICEF, which will offer advice specifically for children.
We looked at exhibitors that matched the ethos of Abu Dhabi Alive, we wanted to make sure they provided health and lifestyle services which would benefit visitors.
Can visitors to the event expect to participate in any activities?
The Original Fitness Co. will have various fitness challenges on offer for visitors to find out how fit they actually are. Day one of Abu Dhabi Alive will feature the feared ‘bleep test’, day two will test the obstacle course, day three will see visitors ‘planking’ to work out their core and day four will include a two-minute burpee test.
Visitors can also challenge themselves on Adventure HQ’s climbing wall – a simulated rock formation affixed with numerous hand and foot holds that provides mental and physical tests to build strength, endurance, and self-confidence.
Free entry is available to everyone, while a charge of only Dhs5 per day is applied to those who wish to use the facilities such as the bowling centre, tennis courts, beach tennis and rugby field.
Is health and fitness education lacking in the UAE?
Recent reports have shown that over 40 percent of the UAE adult population aged between 35 and 75 suffers from hypertension and that heart disease, which generally affects the people over the age of 40, is affecting people ten years earlier in the UAE. Obesity is also a growing health concern in the UAE, which affects both adults and children.
In the past, health and fitness education had never been a priority, but now we have health organisations such as The Health Authority-Abu Dhabi (HAAD), the regulative body of the Healthcare Sector in the emirate of Abu Dhabi, which ensures excellence in Healthcare for the community by monitoring the health status of the population. HAAD drives programmes to increase awareness and adoption of healthy living standards among the residents of Abu Dhabi in addition to regulating the scope of services, premiums, and reimbursement rates of the health system in the emirate.
Is there one particular message you would like the event to get across to Abu Dhabi residents?
Health and fitness is for everyone, not just for those considering a lifestyle change. Everyone can learn more about eating healthier, finding a healthy weight, and getting into healthy activities which will help them lead a longer, healthier life!
Is the plan for Abu Dhabi Alive to become a regular event?
Yes, we hope this will become an annual event so that UAE residents can learn new, healthy lifestyle tips.
Abu Dhabi Alive is taking place November 27-30, 11am-8pm at Zayed Sports City. For more information or to register for the event visit www.abudhabialive.ae
