Abu Dhabi: Under the bright morning sun, nearly a 1,000 schoolchildren gathered in the capital today (April 21) to walk towards a healthier lifestyle.
The walk, which was organised on the Abu Dhabi Corniche by the Health Authority Abu Dhabi (Haad), was part of the nationwide Healthy Children 2021 initiative.
“We need to encourage children towards living healthy from a young age onwards. Today, we are walking one kilometre in the right direction. But the effort doesn’t end here. We need long-term support from all community members,” Dr Jamal Al Naqbi, department manager for community health and surveillance at the Haad, told Gulf News.
Launched this January by the National Programme for Government Communication (NGPC), Healthy Children 2021 aims to reduce obesity among children in the UAE to 12 per cent within the next six years. The NPGC itself is an authority that works to tackle core issues facing society through nationwide, intensive awareness campaigns.
Currently, about 30 per cent of all children in the UAE are known to be either overweight or obese. The Abu Dhabi Education Council (Adec) also announced last November that 40 per cent of Abu Dhabi teens are overweight, and called upon schools to implement strategies that promote more active lifestyles and better diets.
Dr Al Naqbi added that the Haad would coordinate with the NGPC to organise more activities for children.
“Together with the Adec and the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority, the Haad promotes a year-long structured campaign at Abu Dhabi schools to promote healthier diets and a more active lifestyle. But we always welcome more such initiatives to improve the lives of our children,” he said.
As part of similar activities, His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, led a Healthy Children 2021 walk last month at the Abu Dhabi Corniche.
Events are also being organised throughout the UAE during April, and information on adopting healthier living practices has been distributed at the Abu Dhabi Corniche, Jumeirah Beach Walk, Al Barsha Pond Park, Al Khawaneej Park in Dubai, Al Majaz Waterfront in Sharjah, Al Qawasim Corniche in Ras Al Khaimah and Ajman Corniche.
