Dubai: A weight loss contest in Dubai that promises gold for every kilo lost is expected to conclude on Monday after running for roughly two months.

Results for the ‘Your Child in Gold’ competition will be announced a week later, said Waleed Al Shaibani, head of the Dubai Municipality Club and the campaign’s coordinator.

Around 28,000 people, including children, had initially registered for the second such health initiative by Dubai Municipality. Some 10,000 had failed to qualify or follow up their online registrations in person.

In 2013, the ‘Your Weight in Gold’ contest awarded a young Syrian, who lost 26kg in roughly three weeks, gold worth about Dh10,000. Many others walked away with gold worth a total of Dh2.8 million.

This year parents were encouraged to register with up to two children, as a means to combat early obesity and raise awareness on the disease. More than 460 children below the age of 14 qualified to take part.

Families will receive two grams of gold for every kilo lost — double the reward for individual participants. On Sunday, the 24-carat gold price was about Dh145 per gram.

Officials expect many of those who registered in person to win, provided that they have dropped a minimum of two kilos.

Most participants Gulf News spoke to said winning gold was not their only motivation, adding the contest was an effective means to promote health and fitness.

During the launch of the second edition, many families were turned away as their children were not overweight, or even underweight in some cases, a municipality official had said earlier.

Children had to get medical advice from on-site nutritionists to confirm their fitness to participate.

Qualified participants were first weighed between July 15 and 24, and tipped the scales again during checks recently. Their weight difference will be tallied and winners will be announced in about a week.

Contestants visited tents set up in five Dubai locations – Al Safa Park, Zabeel Park, Barsha Park, and Al Khawaneej and Mamzar Walk – for their weigh-ins.

The municipality had been offering free medical care from specialists and various sports programmes to assist participants and help them shed weight.

A venue for the closing ceremony is still to be announced.