You know that you are in need of a lifestyle change when you comment to a Chinese work colleague, who loves hiking, that you both should go out for a walk on a country trail one day, and you get the reply: 'Of course. And then one day I can go out binge drinking with you.' Sometimes the truth hurts, and when it comes to our health, it's not something you should take for granted. That's why the Hong Kong Diabetes Association's free health screening at Southorn Stadium, Wan Chai yesterday showed what could be achieved with a bit of effort. The event, which highlighted the need for regular check-ups, was an attempt to set a Guinness World Record for the most diabetes and cholesterol readings in a 24-hour period. Not only did they break the record - they checked 747 people beating the Philippines' record of 580 - but they showed how important diabetes and cholesterol check-ups were for a full and healthy life. 'The message we want to get across is that it's not just the old who are at risk of diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol, it's across the board. That's why regular checks on all these are essential,' said Dr Ronald Ma Ching-Wan, vice-president of the Hong Kong Diabetes Association. After listening to Ma's advice I thought it only prudent to have the tests done as well. As a, let's say, 'big-boned' member of Hong Kong's expatriate community, I had my blood pressure tested (normal), blood sugar tested for diabetes (normal) and cholesterol tested. To say I have skirmished with cholesterol over the years is an understatement. I love food. I love it so much that it has taken the place of sex in my life. In fact I was thinking of having a mirror put on the ceiling above my kitchen table. The problem is a lot of my food intake isn't very healthy, so it came as no surprise to hear that the news on the cholesterol front wasn't good. 'Your cholesterol level is quite high, particularly your low-density lipoprotein, or bad cholesterol, is high. Time for you to change your diet and get more exercise,' Ma said. I decided there must be a less drastic way of reducing my cholesterol. Drug manufacturer Pfizer was one of the event's sponsors. Maybe they'd come up with a wonder drug that could help me out. I asked their sales person Kathy Kwok Suk-ling, who was also doubling as a volunteer for the day, if she knew of a drug. After looking me up and down steadily, she replied: 'Viagra.' Now with my self-esteem low and my cholesterol still high, things looked decidedly bleak until I heard a laugh nearby. The person was either in a good mood or had just heard the Viagra jibe. It turned out that 77-year-old Lam Yee-wah was in high spirits because her tests had turned out fine. She of all people should know how to stay healthy and she gave away a few secrets. 'I get up at 4am every morning and do some exercises in the park. I do some stretching exercises and some walking,' she said. 'I don't really have a strict diet but I try to eat healthily. That's all that I do.' Obviously there will have to be changes made in this reporter's life. Getting up at 4am is a complete non-starter but exercise and a better diet will have to be adhered to. Regular heath checks are also a must for everyone - no matter what the age. 'The point of the whole day wasn't to break the world records, but to try and increase the awareness of having these regular check-ups. We've definitely achieved that,' Dr Ma said. Deadly sweet Diabetes is a disease that affects the way our bodies use glucose The Hong Kong Diabetes Association was founded in: 1996 The number of people checked for diabetes and cholesterol yesterday, setting a world record, was: 747 Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, or bad cholesterol as it is also known, can age one's heart by up to this many years: 15 The number of medical professionals that volunteered to help in the effort: 25