Sixty diabetic and obese children received practical tips on managing their health at the 1Malaysia Diabesity Camp at Zoo Negara yesterday
The camp, organised by Putrajaya Hospital, was conducted to teach the children how to deal with their condition in a fun-filled environment.
Putrajaya Hospital director Dr Nora'i Mohd Said said young people should not see diabetes or obesity as a barrier to success.
"I myself was diagnosed with diabetes at a young age, so I understand what you are going through," she said while launching the camp.
The participants, aged between 6 and 18, were selected from patients at the Putrajaya Hospital's paediatric endocrinology clinic.
Themed "Fit for Nature", the camp's activities included programmes that taught the children daily methods to manage their condition, such as how to calculate their carbohydrate intake and inject insulin properly.
Other fun activities were an aerobics session and a treasure hunt.
Three-time camp participant Muhammad Hafizuddin Abu Hasan, 15, said it has helped him to overcome his shock when he was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes three years ago.
"I miss having ice cream but I know I need to be careful in watching what I eat," he said, adding that he injects his insulin himself.
Another participant, Alia Adriana Ishak, 14, said she was hoping to lose five kilograms within three months.
Obesity affects around 5.4 per cent of all school children in Malaysia, with one in 10 children in Kuala Lumpur.
The Diabetes in Children and Adolescents Registry reports that 235 children are diabetic, the majority suffering from Type 1 diabetes.
The camp, organised by Putrajaya Hospital, was conducted to teach the children how to deal with their condition in a fun-filled environment.
Putrajaya Hospital director Dr Nora'i Mohd Said said young people should not see diabetes or obesity as a barrier to success.
"I myself was diagnosed with diabetes at a young age, so I understand what you are going through," she said while launching the camp.
The participants, aged between 6 and 18, were selected from patients at the Putrajaya Hospital's paediatric endocrinology clinic.
Themed "Fit for Nature", the camp's activities included programmes that taught the children daily methods to manage their condition, such as how to calculate their carbohydrate intake and inject insulin properly.
Other fun activities were an aerobics session and a treasure hunt.
Three-time camp participant Muhammad Hafizuddin Abu Hasan, 15, said it has helped him to overcome his shock when he was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes three years ago.
"I miss having ice cream but I know I need to be careful in watching what I eat," he said, adding that he injects his insulin himself.
Another participant, Alia Adriana Ishak, 14, said she was hoping to lose five kilograms within three months.
Obesity affects around 5.4 per cent of all school children in Malaysia, with one in 10 children in Kuala Lumpur.
The Diabetes in Children and Adolescents Registry reports that 235 children are diabetic, the majority suffering from Type 1 diabetes.
