Sedentary lifestyle, improper diets ring alarm bells

Dubai: Lack of playgrounds, a sedentary lifestyle and improper diets in some schools are creating an alarming number of overweight children who will face health complications in the future, experts said.

"There's not enough after-school activities," said Dr Ali Al Marzouki, director of public health and safety at the Dubai Health Authority (DHA). He said children also have limited choice for indoor activities in summer. "Parents should limit the time their children spend in front of the TV." He said a study showed that about 30 per cent of children in the UAE are overweight. According to Ministry of Health statistics, 26 per cent of children are overweight.

A dietician said obese children will find it very difficult to reach an ideal weight in their adulthood. "You have to change [lifestyle] habits when they are young," said Yasmine Haddad, dietician at Lively, a health and nutrition lounge.

She too called for a community effort to help children beat the fat, from parents, teachers and dieticians to educate kids on the dangers of extra weight. Obesity leads to complications like diabetes. "It is very sad many children have diabetes," she said. "The lifestyle here is very bad."

The UAE has the second-highest incidence of Type 2 diabetes in the world and doctors have warned many more are not even aware they have the disease.

The Ministry of Health last year held a country-wide campaign educating people on the dangers of children being overweight.

Besides physical activity, children should eat a variety of foods and should not miss breakfast, Haddad said.