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A greater community involvement is called for if the UAE is to succeed in the fight against childhood obesity, experts say at the very first Abu Dhabi Childhood Obesity Forum being held at the capital.
Abu Dhabi organised the forum in efforts to be the global model for the fight against childhood obesity. The UAE, like the rest of the world, has seen a growing number of childhood obesity cases in recent years, prompting many to intensify their campaign against it.
The two-day forum is being held at the Sofitel, Abu Dhabi Cornice with more than 300 delegates attending, representing 12 government agencies and 9 private organisations; as well as 20 students and four international experts presenting the very latest research on the fight against childhood obesity.
In his keynote speech, His Excellency Sheikh Abdulla bin Mohamed Al Hamed, Chairman, Department of Health – Abu Dhabi, says the UAE government has put a strong premium on the health of the residents and expatriates in the Emirates, noting its importance as a pillar for a strong and sustainable development. “The rate of obesity is expected to rise unless we undertake community and institutional interventions with all relevant parties to put an end to this increase and control this health problem. The Department of Health, in cooperation with the Abu Dhabi Children's Obesity Task Force, which is composed of 12 government entities, has developed a comprehensive plan to reduce obesity. It aims to increase physical activity in children by 15% and reduce the average body mass index by 15% by 2020,” he added.
Meanwhile, Dr. Omniyat Al Hajri, Director, Public Health Division, Department of Health – Abu Dhabi, urged the public to become a more active partner in fighting childhood obesity. “What distinguishes our gathering today is that we have the ability to change the status of obesity in our society and provide a better future for our children. We possess the knowledge and the necessary skills, which extend to affecting our environment in all its aspects,” she said.
Al Hajri then outlined some of the practical steps people can take to help, such as reducing the number of hours children spent in front of TVs and electronic devices; encouraging children to more physically active; and offering healthier food choices at home, in school and in public cafes and restaurants, among others.
“We can build and develop healthy and sustainable cities. We can create an attractive environment for our children that is safe, clean, accessible and play-friendly. We can find solutions to limit the advertising of unhealthy food and beverages and We can promote healthy products instead. I am sure that we can turn the Emirate of Abu Dhabi into a model for combating childhood obesity,” Al Hajri continued.
Globally, learnings from successful campaigns in the UK, Sweden, The Netherlands and Mexico have also been presented at the forum with key insights focusing on the early years as an important stage to promote healthy eating and activity that can be maintained beyond childhood.
The fight against childhood obesity is being made not just in terms of health concerns, but also because of the economic costs. It was estimated that the NHS in England spent close to Dhs25bn on obesity-related illnesses (children and adults) in 2015.
Among other practical steps being explored are regulating the intake of calories and sugar among children, and reducing their access to products with high sugar and calorie content. Over the long term, Abu Dhabi hopes to introduce innovations in developing healthier products for consumption by children, using advances in science and technology to make products that are nutritionally good for children, while also appealing in terms of taste.
The Abu Dhabi Childhood Obesity Forum is organised by the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi in partnership with MEED. It is supported by the Abu Dhabi Task Force on Childhood Obesity as well as various private partners such as NMC Healthcare, Omeir Travel Agency, Al Ain Farms for Livestock Production, Kings College Hospital London, Healthpure, Technogym, Daman, Kiwa and the World Obesity Federation.
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