#OmanPride: Social media activists call for a sugar-free 2017

Muscat: A group of Omani social media activists have vowed to stop consuming sugar this year, in a bid to curb the rising incidents of diabetes in the Sultanate.
They launched a campaign on January 1, encouraging people to control their sugar cravings and urging authorities to impose a tax on refined sugar products.
At least 60 people, including medics, have joined the movement, according to a survey released by the activists. “Most people agree that sugar is a silent killer, as at least 1.5 million deaths are directly caused by diabetes every year,” said Bassam, one of the leaders behind the campaign.
The disease runs in Bassam’s family. “My mother, uncle, aunt and three cousins have diabetes,” he noted. Twitter users from the Gulf Cooperation Council region had undertaken a similar challenge last Ramadan, but that was only for a month.
“Some 57 per cent of the participants said they experienced a change in their health and body during the sugar-less month,” Bassam said.
Omani photographer Rashad Al Wahebi has also pledged to boycott refined sugar for the entire year. “I stopped eating cornflakes, refined juices and pastries with added sugar,” Al Wahebi said, revealing that he had started checking the ingredients of all products when he goes shopping.
He is compensating with natural sugar found in fresh fruits and vegetables. Like Bassam, Al Wahebi’s family also has its share of non-communicable
diseases (NCDs).
“Europe is discussing a tax on unhealthy products that contain sugar, as they have seen how it contributes to obesity,” he explained, adding that Oman must follow suit.
“It is good to see that hypermarkets in Oman are allocating sections for organic food,” he noted.
News anchor Ahmed Al Kindi has also shown his support for the drive on social media.
“I was overweight four years ago, and had breathing difficulties. That was when I decided to change my diet and lifestyle,” he mentioned, stating that he lost 25 kilograms in just three months.
““So, I have decided to support the campaign to encourage more people to reduce their consumption of refined sugar,” he said.
Al Kindi goes for a walk every morning whenever he gets
the time.
Studies have shown that 37 per cent of Omanis do not exercise enough, which has contributed to the rise of NCDs in the country.
Oman records some 5,000 new cases of diabetes each year.
Recently, the Ministry of Health (MoH) kick started a campaign to encourage people to exercise.