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It was attended by Mr. Hassan Al Hashemi Director of External Relations of Dubai Chamber, Dr Mahmood Fikree, Executive Director of Health Policies Affairs, Ministry of Health and Dr Ayman A. Abu Laban, UNICEF's Gulf Area Office Representative. Also attending were professionals in the area of CSR, Corporate Communications, Ethics, Strategic Management and Healthcare.
Dubai Chamber has joined The Fat Truth campaign through a Project Cooperation Agreement signed with Unicef Gulf Area Office that hopes to combat childhood obesity in the UAE through involving and educating children and parents, healthcare and educational sectors, as well as policymakers, government bodies and institutions in the initiative. This initiative is in line with the Chamber's Corporate Social Responsibility activities, aimed at raising awareness on Childhood Obesity Prevention.
"Child obesity problem is now at pandemic levels and is no longer an individual problem. Society and governments suffer a concealed economic burden of obesity. These economic consequences affect employment, productivity, diminish opportunities, and have substantial implications for health service capacities and social and economic infrastructure. Prevention is the key strategy for reversing the current trend of obesity and involves improving eating habits and increasing physical exercise."
said Al Hashemi.
"Protecting children from obesity is the responsibility of the entire community; and the private sector plays a vital role in promoting a culture of healthy eating and physical activity habits" Said Dr Abu Laban. "It is crucial that companies refrain from promoting unhealthy products and provide healthy alternatives in order to give people the chance to make the right choice" he added.
According to recent statistics, over 70% of Emirati nationals are overweight. Around 12.1% of children in the UAE are obese and more than 20% are at risk of becoming overweight or obese.
"Society has come to expect more social responsibility from private companies in addressing community health issues. Sustainability in this sector is becoming a vital issue as CSR moves from the periphery into the mainstream business agenda of businesses encouraging broader corporate responsibility toward communities and humanitarian needs" Added Al Hashemi.
The seminar brought to the forefront the issue of child obesity by informing different stakeholders representing the food and manufacturing, entertainment, retail, media and other sectors of the role they can play in tackling the problem.
It also focused on influencing dialogue and collective action with regards to social responsibility to fulfill children's requirements and rights for a healthy life emphasizing healthy diet and physical activity.
Speakers from the public and private sectors shared their experience, strategies and views on addressing child obesity.
Posted by Nadeen El Ajou
