AR
UR
The Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP) recently organised a workshop with the aim of developing a new plan ahead of the next edition of the National Programme to Combat Obesity in Children and Adolescents. The plan is focused on promoting healthy lifestyles and enhancing the overall well-being of children and adolescents.
The workshop was chaired by Dr Hussain Abdul Rahman Al Rand, Assistant Under-Secretary for the Public Health Sector in the presence of Nouf Khamis Al Ali, Director of the Health Promotion Department and other representatives from relevant departments.
Addressing the workshop, Dr Al Rand underlined the importance of improving the health of children and adolescents as UAE's national health priority. It is a part of the UAE's responsive and sustainable health care system which has been ensuring all possible efforts to prevent diseases resulting from obesity among children and adolescents.
"This comes in line with the UAE’s sustainable development plans and is based on the framework for combating obesity in children. We are forging ahead towards realising this target in line with the World Health Organisation (WHO) action plan to prevent non-communicable diseases," said Al Rand.
Improving children's quality of life
Al Rand underlined that the authorities are carefully preparing the updated version of the National Programme to Combat Obesity in Children and Adolescents in accordance with the results of the goals of achieved by the previous version.
As per the latest statistics derived from the periodic examination of school students, obesity rates among children and adolescents has 17.3 percent.
He further underlined the priority given to promoting children's health in the goals of the National Strategy for Wellbeing, noting that children’s health is a pivotal indicator for planning future health strategies.
"The UAE is seeking to excel and lead in all sectors and fields and this will only be achieved by healthy and capable generations," Al Rand added.
Multidisciplinary programme
During the workshop, Nouf Al Ali delivered a presentation, explaining the WHO framework on obesity, objectives and the expected results. These relevant information will help update the national programme with the introduction of effective solutions to confront obesity and adopting new measures to prevent or avoid ill-health conditions.
Al Ali revealed that a multi-sector and multidisciplinary programme is being developed aimed at employing new strategies and interventions to tackle obesity in the early stages of a child's life. In addition, the programme features awareness-raising and educational activities and programmes targeting children, adolescents and their families.
"It will also focus on healthy food and physical activity to promote healthy behaviours in society, in cooperation with several government and private entities," Al Ali added.
SOURCE: Khaleej Times