Better Environment Award looks to generate greater consciousness on child obesity in the UAE

The 12th edition of the BEA, the UAE's foremost initiative aimed at addressing and raising awareness of environmental issues, also focuses on several other pertinent issues afflicting society, in addition to child obesity.

Recent statistics released by the UAE Ministry of Health reveal that 26 per cent of children in the country are obese. This high prevalence of obesity among UAE children is attributed to a lack of exercise and an over-dependence on fast food. The alarming increase in child obesity cases in the UAE necessitates urgent measures to tackle the problem.

The scope of BEA 2007 has been expanded to make it more challenging and to foster the conceptualising of a wider range of initiatives under environmental, health and road safety themes. Schools were invited to submit project ideas on the three themes - Health, Safety and Environment. A choice of two subjects was given under each theme. Students had to select between 'Vehicles Safety' and 'Pedestrians Safety' under the theme of 'Road Safety'; between 'Shores Environment' and 'Toxic Waste' under the Environment theme; and between 'Obesity' and 'Smoking' under the Health theme.

Better Environment Award 2007 attracted applications from 149 schools across the UAE. The judging panel released a shortlist on December 18, 2006, announcing names of participating schools that are eligible to receive funding from Shell for implementing their proposals. Winners will be announced in May 2007 after evaluating projects for their thoroughness and effectiveness.

"Though the exact causes of childhood obesity are yet to be fully researched, it is well established that obesity occurs when energy intake levels exceed energy expenditure levels. Studies reveal that obese children undertake low to moderate levels of vigorous physical activity as compared to their non-obese counterparts. Studies also associate low levels of vigorous physical activity and increased TV watching with obesity," said Hussain Al Mahmoudi, Head of External Affairs and HSSE (Health, Safety, Security and Environment), Shell.

"Whatever the cause of increasing rates of obesity in children, it is high time that companies in their role as responsible corporate citizens, and the government take concrete steps to bring down obesity levels. Creating awareness is the first step in tackling the problem, which not only manifests in the UAE and the region, but is a matter of growing concern in developed societies in Europe and America. Through BEA 2007, we hope to make children, parents and teachers more aware of the health risks posed by obesity and show them the means of tackling the problem," added Al Mahmoudi.

Obesity is shown to have a strong link to health risks such as heart diseases and diabetes. The problem of type 2 diabetes is particularly significant in the UAE. A national diabetes survey conducted in 2000 by the UAE Ministry of Health and the World Health Organisation, showed that almost a quarter of the UAE population suffered from diabetes of one type or another. A few years ago, type 2 diabetes was not diagnosed among young people in the UAE. Today the condition is seen routinely in children. This is largely due to lifestyle changes, a general decline in physical activity and an increased reliance on processed foods.

"In the UAE, prevention of type 2 diabetes in young people through a reduction in childhood obesity rates poses a major public health challenge. The Ministry of Health has developed educational programmes to raise awareness among healthcare providers about the prevention and management of diabetes. We believe that initiatives such as BEA 2007 can effectively complement the government efforts. The participation of such a large number of schools in this award gives us much scope to meet our objectives. School-based health education programmes also enable children and their families to understand the linkage between obesity and chronic ailments such as diabetes," said Al Mahmoudi.

"Shell is committed to positive engagement with the society it operates in, and is highlighting pertinent environmental, safety, and health issues. Obesity is rapidly becoming a serious medical condition for a large percentage of children in the UAE, and should be taken under serious consideration. Children represent the future of our nation, and ensuring their health, well being and development is important to us," said Jihan Khalil, External Affairs Coordinator and Project Organizer.

The various measures being considered to tackle obesity among children at the global level include protecting children from the onslaught of unhealthy marketing campaigns through the Internet, viral marketing, in-school promotions or existing television marketing; applying mandatory nutritional and activity standards in schools; removing trade distortions which favour over-production of fats and sugars, and switching support for increased fruit and vegetable production.