UAE to develop new plan to combat obesity in children and adolescents

UAE to develop new plan to combat obesity in children and adolescents

Children’s health has become a pivotal indicator in the planning of future health strategies

Published: Wed 6 Apr 2022, 5:30 PM

The Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP) has organised a workshop to develop a new plan for the next edition of the National Programme to Combat Obesity in Children and Adolescents, which will be the first in the next 50 years.

The plan aims to promote healthy lifestyles and enhance the well-being of children and adolescents.

Chaired by Dr Hussain Abdul Rahman Al Rand, Assistant Under-Secretary for the Public Health Sector, the workshop was attended by Nouf Khamis Al Ali, Director of the Health Promotion Department, as well as representatives from relevant departments.

"Improving the health of children and adolescents is a national health priority as part of the UAE’s responsive and sustainable health care system, which strives to prevent diseases resulting from obesity.

"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.

Children's quality of life

Al Rand stated that the updated version of the National Programme to Combat