New guidelines to ensure healthier diet for pupils

With the start of the new academic year, pupils across the capital will be expected to adopt healthier diets as a specifically-designed campaign for the purpose gains momentum.The "Eat Right Get Active Campaign" initiative will continue to target school canteens this year in order to ensure that pupils are familiar with better eating habits. The guidelines of the campaign, which were implemented in January, were developed by the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority (ADFCA), the Abu Dhabi Education Council and the Health Authority Abu Dhabi (HAAD) in order to curb the high rates of obesity among children in the UAE.According to the Global School-based Student Health Survey 2010 conducted for the UAE in association with the World Health Organisation (WHO), 14.4 per cent of children were found to be obese and 38.4 per cent overweight, up from a combined figure of 33.6 per cent obese and overweight children five years ago. "Children spend most of their day at school, where they have two of their major meals. Ensuring that they have access to healthy meals is, therefore, one of the first steps toward changing eating beliefs among young people and preventing related diseases like type 2 diabetes," Dr Arwa Al Modwahi, senior officer for the school and family health section at the HAAD, told Gulf News. A set of guidelines for schools, released as part of the School Canteen Guidelines for the emirate of Abu Dhabi in May, have banned all processed meats (sausages, mortadella), nuts, chips, French fries, chocolates, candies, wafers, and ice creams at school canteens. In addition, energy drinks like Red Bull and all soft drinks and sugary beverages are also prohibited.Schools have also been instructed to provide a balanced diet for pupils. This comprises adequate quantities of proteins, carbohydrates, vegetables and fruits. The guidelines also include instructions to ensure food safety, including methods of proper storage, serving and disposal. Many concerned parents rely on these canteens for their children's meals on school days. "Two years ago, the canteen at my children's school was closed down, and this has been a major problem. Because of the hot weather, I am not able to pack sandwiches for them because these foods can spoil in the heat. As a result, my children can only take biscuits and chips and this is unhealthy," said G.M., a 38-year-old mother from India. Teachers also report that unhealthy eating habits can stem from parents not knowing what foods can make their children lethargic. "I teach children at the kindergarten level and I have come across some of them carrying fried crisps and chocolates in their lunch boxes. In addition to confiscating such items, we often need to speak to parents about packing unhealthy foods," said Kelly B, a teacher at a school based in the capital. 633: kilocalories for KG to grade three pupils 785: kilocalories for grades four to seven pupils 825: kilocalories for grades eight to 12 pupils From / Gulf News