Dubai: From education and awareness about food labels to the importance of three nutritionally balanced meals in a day, the clinical nutritional department of the Dubai Health Authority (DHA) organised a series of nutritional educational programmes for staff members of some government departments.
Commenting on the significance of the programme, Dr Wafa Ayesh, Director of Clinical Nutrition at the Dubai Health Authority, said: “Although chronic diseases are among the most common and costly health problems, they are also among the most preventable and most can be effectively controlled with the right interventions, that is, nutrition and exercise. Therefore, the aim of this workshop is to empower employees by educating them about nutrition and how they can take care of their health while they are at office and on the go.”
Wafa said the employee wellness workshop covered various aspects of nutrition and employees were taught how to read food labels. “Food labels are an important source of information about calories and the nutritional value of the foods you eat, and is an important tool to ensure a person is aware of whether the food he is about to eat is healthy or unhealthy. Sometimes, it is hard to identify ingredients that we should reduce in our diet, such as saturated and trans fats, sodium, added sugars and cholesterol and, therefore, it is important to understand the commonly used names of these ingredients in food labels. Avoiding these ingredients is particularly important for diabetics, those who are obese, hypertensive people or those with other chronic health conditions.”
Wafa added that the workshops also covered topics such as the importance of breakfast, eating right on the run, healthy lunch options, healthy cooking techniques, incorporating fitness into one’s daily routine, dealing with stress and work-life balance.
The training programme was carried out under the initiative of distinguished government employee in nutrition and included employees from the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs, Dubai Smart Government, Dubai Municipality, DHA clinic in Al Maktoum Airport, the Department of Economic Development and Ministry of Social Affairs and Al Nasr Club.
The training programme will continue until the end of this year and will include other governmental organisations such as the Department of Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities in Dubai, Dubai Electricity and Water Authority, Dubai Customs, Roads and Transport Authority, etc.
This is the second consecutive year the programme is taking place and includes a series of lectures and practical workshops.
