Arab children congress to tackle growing problem of obesity

Dubai: Obesity, an issue affecting almost 12 per cent of children in the UAE, will be the focus of a health congress for Arab children this year.

The Global School-Based Student Health Survey, conducted in 2005 by the Ministry of Health and the World Health Organisation (WHO), found 11.8 per cent of 13 to 15-year olds in the UAE were obese and 21.3 per cent at risk of becoming obese.

Organisers of the Arab Children Health Congress, to be held from March 24 to 27 this year, announced the meeting would revolve around healthy lifestyle, nutrition and other-related issues. This year is also the first time the congress is partnering with the WHO.

"We have to develop a regional plan for physical fitness and nutrition," said Dr Rowaida Al Maaitah, chair of the scientific committee.

"Obesity is an epidemic; there are no borders. It is a problem of the developed and developing countries - the wealthy and the poor," she added.

She also said the conference would tackle nutrition-related issues including malnutrition and nutrition disorders, such as anorexia.

Dr Rowaida said once the strategy was in place, the committee would distribute it to WHO-member countries under the purview of the Eastern Mediterranean Regional Office of WHO. "The countries will have to translate the regional plan into a national plan," she said.

Qadi Saeed Al Murooshid, director-general of Dubai Health Authority, gave his assurance the authority would implement recommendations made at the congress.