School seminar to fight child obesity in UAE

The seminar took place in Asmaa Bint El Nooman School, The speakers included: Dr. Maryam Al Matroushy, Director of Health Legislation Dept. in the Ministry of Health and Dr. Ashraf Yousssef, Nutrition Specialist in the Ministry of Health; Mr. Ahmed Abdullrahman, Representative from Ministry of Education; and Ms. Maryam Salah, Abella Food Co.

Mayada Wahsh, Programme officer, UNICEF Gulf Area, said:

"The goal of the seminar was mainly to create awareness among schools' staff on the major health and social risks of obesity on school students and to stress on the importance of exercising and eating healthy which highly improves students' academic performance."

Controlling school canteens is one of the major challenges that were tackled during the seminar; as there is an urgent need to forbid the sales of unhealthy food items sold to the school students whether in canteens or through vending machines.

Recommendations from the seminar encouraged holding a workshop directed specifically to school principles to ensure same level of importance and support is given to fitness classes as any other subject in the curriculum. Secondly, it was suggested to form a committee to manage the physical fitness of children and the type and quality of food allowed in schools. This suggested committee to consist of members from: The Ministry of Health, Ministry of Education and KHDA; with the aim to ensure an even implementation of a healthy structure of nutrition and exercise in all the UAE schools.

The schools seminar is one of a series of seminars targeting the different stakeholders identified under the Fat Truth campaign with the objective of reviewing current practices, identify the gaps and to responsibly take action to fight child obesity problems in the UAE.

The Fat Truth campaign was launched in April 2009, under the patronage of HRH Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein, wife of HH Sheikh Mohammad Bin Rashed Al Maktoom, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. The campaign is organized by the Ministry of Health in partnership with the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF).

The Fat Truth campaign is supported by UNICEF's strategic partner: General Women's Union, the Knowledge and Human Development Authority, WHO, the Ministry of Education and Princess Haya initiative for the Development Health, Physical education and school sports.

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