Abu Dhabi Alive exhibition aims to lead fight against obesity and inactivity in the UAE

Fitness and wellness event Abu Dhabi Alive is aiming to inform United Arab Emirates residents about fitness, recreation activities and wellness options.

To be held at Zayed Sports City from 27th to 30th November, the event is the first of its kind in Abu Dhabi to take place outdoors and comes just a month after Zayed Sports City hosted Abu Dhabi KidsFest, a similar activities-themed event targeted at UAE youngsters, and also falls just a week after the Diabetes Walk for Life around Yas Marina Circuit.

Event backers the Abu Dhabi Sports Council are keen for these subsidised events to provide incentives to tackle the rise in obesity and related health hazards.

Cardiovascular diseases accounted for more than a quarter of deaths in Abu Dhabi in 2011, according to the Health Authority Abu Dhabi, and a recent study has also indicated that 41% of the UAE population over the age of 30 suffers from high blood pressure, significantly higher than the global average of 25 to 30%.

Hayete Jelai, Exhibition Director for Abu Dhabi Alive organiser Informa Exhibitions explains "there is a government incentive to get the population of Abu Dhabi more healthy, and we wanted to do it in an entertaining way.

"The (event will feature) two kinds of activities one is an exhibition, with sports and medical stalls for all ages, and the second kind is the entertainment and sports. There will be a stage so anyone can come and present activities as well, such as cooking demonstrations. And we will provide a closed-off tent for ladies only, so ladies can participate in activities like Zumba and they can feel a bit more privacy.

"This is a fun-filled, family-friendly event and it's the perfect opportunity for anyone from any walk of life to kick-start a new, healthy way of living. It is a chance to change lifestyle habits by learning about what is necessary for general well-being and improved fitness levels."

Daman, the principal sponsor of Abu Dhabi Alive, will be offering free gifts for visitors when they play the Wheel of Health game, as well as entertainment in the form of live street-dancing shows. Free eye-screening will be performed by RSU Healthcare

For more adventurous visitors, Dubai's Adventure HQ will provide a climbing wall to scale while Gold's Gym International will be hosting live fitness classes and giving away free memberships, and the Original Fitness Co will provide fitness challenges for visitors to test their fitness levels.

Abu Dhabi Alive is being held from 27th to 30th November at the Zayed Sports City, Abu Dhabi.

For more information go to www.abudhabialive.ae/