The Abu Dhabi Childhood Obesity taskforce announced the launch and immediate implementation of a comprehensive plan to address childhood obesity in the Emirate following a meeting on Sunday.
The plan which focuses on six key categories, is a result of a cross-sector evaluation that assessed existing efforts to fight childhood obesity, challenges and opportunities, in addition to benchmarking against World Health Organisation (WHO) recommendations and best international practice, according to UAE News Agency (WAM).

The six key categories outline focus areas for the taskforce to consolidate efforts and work towards ending childhood obesity in an effective way: Implementing programs to promote the intake of healthy foods; Promoting physical activity; Integrating guidance on the prevention of non-communicable diseases into current awareness guidelines for pre-conception and pregnancy care to reduce the risk of obesity; Providing guidance and support to help promote healthy diets and physical activity among children from the very early stages of childhood to ensure sound development; Implementing comprehensive programs to promote health nutrition and physical activity for school-aged children; and Providing a range of services to families for weight management of children and adolescents who suffer from obesity.

The Abu Dhabi Childhood Obesity Taskforce, which includes 12 government entities, received scientific recommendations from a scientific advisory committee reporting to the Taskforce, made up of experts within the Taskforce organisations including Abu Dhabi Education Council, Abu Dhabi Quality and Conformity Council and Abu Dhabi Ambulatory Health Services, in addition to Zayed Military Hospital, UAE National Service Authority, Mubadala company, New York University in Abu Dhabi, Khalifa University, Zayed University, and UAE University.

Obesity is correlated with a number of negative effects on physical and mental health during childhood, adolescence and adulthood. One in three children in Abu Dhabi are either obese or overweight, making them more susceptible to being overweight or obese in the future, WAM reported.
 

Source: BNA