Ministries to help cut waistlines in schools

Dubai: The ministries of health and education will initiate a programme next month to tackle growing obesity among schoolchildren in the UAE, which the World Health Organisation has listed as among the "fattest nations" in the world.

The programme will start in selected schools in Dubai and Sharjah in mid-December, said Salah Ahmad Mohammad, director of the national programme for control of diabetes.

It will advise pupils on the right foods to eat and the need to stop sitting in front of TV and gaming screens and exercise.

Another ministry doctor earlier said that about 50 per cent of school-going children are overweight.

School canteens will be supervised to make sure they serve healthy foods and snacks, he said, but admitted it will be a difficult task as children today do not like to eat healthily.

He was speaking during the release of a report on obesity in the UAE yesterday by VLCC, a slimming and fitness group.

The programme will also help children with Type 1 diabetes live safely without complications, advise them how to inject themselves and also educate teachers about the disease.

Many teachers do not understand that diabetics need to go to the toilet more frequently than other children, said Mohammad. Dr Ayoub Kalaff, a psychologist, said parents also need to be educated on how to teach their children to eat correctly. Junk food groups know how to target people, especially the young, he said. He said some schools and universities have stopped serving fast food in their canteens.

"Overweight people retreat into themselves when they receive negative comments [about their physique], which will see them continuing to eat junk food for comfort and staying indoors to avoid social interaction," he said.

UAE rank: Eighteenth fattest

World Health Organisation has listed the UAE as the eighteenth "fattest" nation in the world, said experts.

A study showed most expatriates gained weight after relocating to the UAE and the majority felt that the lifestyle here helps lead to weight gain. The majority of respondents felt that working hours are long and there was little opportunity to do much other than "eat, sleep and go to work."

While most were trying to lose weight, many felt they would not get proper support. Most also did not know who to turn to for help.

Sandeep Ahuja, CEO of VLCC, said, "Research showed that 43 per cent of those questioned believed they have experienced either discrimination or ridicule over their weight."

Is creating awareness the key to overcoming obesity? What do you think is the best way to stay healthy? Should schools play a major role in keeping students fit? Or is this the parents' responsibility?