A childhood obesity taskforce has set an ambitious target of reducing the average body mass index of children by 15 per cent whilst increasing physical activity by the same amount by 2020.
A call to arms has been sounded at the Abu Dhabi Childhood Obesity Forum where international experts have shared the latest findings and success stories in combating what has become a global epidemic.
Healthcare spending in the UAE is predicted to more than double to $47.5 billion by 2040 as obesity levels increase putting people more at risk of non-communicable diseases.
“The rate of obesity is expected to rise unless we undertake community and institutional interventions with all relevant parties to put an end to this increase and control this health problem,” said Sheikh Abdulla bin Mohamed Al Hamed, chairman of the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi.
Restrictions on fast food restaurants near schools was one option being considered, following successful reports from the UK.
Further restrictions on advertising of junk food towards children and traffic light labelling of the nutritional content of food are also being considered for an Abu Dhabi action plan, with red signalling foods high in fat, salt and sugar.
The two-day forum is being held at the Sofitel on Abu Dhabi Corniche with more than 300 delegates attending from 12 government agencies and nine private organisations.
“We are looking at both the UK and USA plan in how this issue is being targeted, so we can take a combination of the best approach,” said Omniyat Al Hajeri, director of public health at the Department of Health in Abu Dhabi.
“We will be establishing specific key performance indicators so we can monitor the progress of the plan to reduce childhood obesity.
“The idea is to have measurable outcomes during this process, and we can learn from our colleagues.
“We recognise that obesity is a social and a health problem and there needs to be a large intervention in the community to help children.”
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Among other practical steps being explored are regulating the intake of calories and sugar among children, and reducing their access to products with high sugar and calorie content.
Over the long term, Abu Dhabi hopes to introduce innovations in developing healthier products for consumption by children, using advances in science and technology to make products that are nutritionally good for children, while also appealing in terms of taste.
One of the successful projects adopted in the UK that has been taken on for discussion as a proposal in the UAE is restrictions on fast food outlets within close proximity to schools.
“We are testing the ground in this area, but this kind of decision needs political and economic support,” Ms Al Hajeri said.
“It is a decision that will need to be taken at federal level. We have some drastic suggestions, and we should not accept half solutions. This is the time to take brave decisions.
“We are not looking at necessarily making fast food more expensive, but we want healthy food to be more accessible and affordable.
“Advertising will play a big role in this, and encourage kids to make the right choices. It needs to be a drastic change; this is a global issue.”
Globally, learnings from successful campaigns in the UK, Sweden, The Netherlands and Mexico have been presented at the forum with key insights focusing on the early years as an important stage to promote healthy eating and activity that can be maintained beyond childhood.
The fight against childhood obesity is being made not just in terms of health concerns, but also because of the economic costs. It was estimated the NHS in England spent close to Dhs25bn on obesity-related illnesses (children and adults) in 2015.
“We have started to see success in the nutrition in schools, but it is also important to look at the wider environment that children are exposed to that is contributing to the food choices they are making,” said Robin Ireland, director of research at the Health Equalities Group UK, which specialises in tobacco and diet control.
“There is only so much we can do, there has to be a certain degree of responsibility.
“In England the message has started to be delivered from a wider level, with some local authorities working with planning boards to ensure no fast food restaurants are allowed to open within 400 metres of a school.
“The staff in school also need to be aware of how to create a healthy eating environment.
“Education is part of that environment, sometimes we assume that passing on understanding will lead to a change in behaviour, but childhood obesity needs to have a wider approach.”
Stage result
1. Jasper Philipsen (Bel) Alpecin-Fenix 4:42:34
2. Sam Bennett (Irl) Bora-Hansgrohe
3. Elia Viviani (Ita) Ineos Grenadiers
4. Dylan Groenewegen (Ned) BikeExchange-Jayco
5. Emils Liepins (Lat) Trek-Segafredo
6. Arnaud Demare (Fra) Groupama-FDJ
7. Max Kanter (Ger) Movistar Team
8. Olav Kooij (Ned) Jumbo-Visma
9. Tom Devriendt (Bel) Intermarché-Wanty-Gobert Matériaux
10. Pascal Ackermann (Ger) UAE Team Emirate
COMPANY PROFILE
Initial investment: Undisclosed
Investment stage: Series A
Investors: Core42
Current number of staff: 47
Cracks in the Wall
Ben White, Pluto Press
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The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cyl, 48V hybrid
Transmission: eight-speed automatic
Power: 325bhp
Torque: 450Nm
Price: Dh359,000
On sale: now
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
The specs
AT4 Ultimate, as tested
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Power: 420hp
Torque: 623Nm
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
Price: From Dh330,800 (Elevation: Dh236,400; AT4: Dh286,800; Denali: Dh345,800)
On sale: Now
ESSENTIALS
The flights
Etihad (etihad.com) flies from Abu Dhabi to Mykonos, with a flight change to its partner airline Olympic Air in Athens. Return flights cost from Dh4,105 per person, including taxes.
Where to stay
The modern-art-filled Ambassador hotel (myconianambassador.gr) is 15 minutes outside Mykonos Town on a hillside 500 metres from the Platis Gialos Beach, with a bus into town every 30 minutes (a taxi costs €15 [Dh66]). The Nammos and Scorpios beach clubs are a 10- to 20-minute walk (or water-taxi ride) away. All 70 rooms have a large balcony, many with a Jacuzzi, and of the 15 suites, five have a plunge pool. There’s also a private eight-bedroom villa. Double rooms cost from €240 (Dh1,063) including breakfast, out of season, and from €595 (Dh2,636) in July/August.
Ms Yang's top tips for parents new to the UAE
- Join parent networks
- Look beyond school fees
- Keep an open mind
At a glance
Global events: Much of the UK’s economic woes were blamed on “increased global uncertainty”, which can be interpreted as the economic impact of the Ukraine war and the uncertainty over Donald Trump’s tariffs.
Growth forecasts: Cut for 2025 from 2 per cent to 1 per cent. The OBR watchdog also estimated inflation will average 3.2 per cent this year
Welfare: Universal credit health element cut by 50 per cent and frozen for new claimants, building on cuts to the disability and incapacity bill set out earlier this month
Spending cuts: Overall day-to day-spending across government cut by £6.1bn in 2029-30
Tax evasion: Steps to crack down on tax evasion to raise “£6.5bn per year” for the public purse
Defence: New high-tech weaponry, upgrading HM Naval Base in Portsmouth
Housing: Housebuilding to reach its highest in 40 years, with planning reforms helping generate an extra £3.4bn for public finances
Skewed figures
In the village of Mevagissey in southwest England the housing stock has doubled in the last century while the number of residents is half the historic high. The village's Neighbourhood Development Plan states that 26% of homes are holiday retreats. Prices are high, averaging around £300,000, £50,000 more than the Cornish average of £250,000. The local average wage is £15,458.
UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Breast cancer in men: the facts
1) Breast cancer is men is rare but can develop rapidly. It usually occurs in those over the ages of 60, but can occasionally affect younger men.
2) Symptoms can include a lump, discharge, swollen glands or a rash.
3) People with a history of cancer in the family can be more susceptible.
4) Treatments include surgery and chemotherapy but early diagnosis is the key.
5) Anyone concerned is urged to contact their doctor
Indoor cricket World Cup:
Insportz, Dubai, September 16-23
UAE fixtures:
Men
Saturday, September 16 – 1.45pm, v New Zealand
Sunday, September 17 – 10.30am, v Australia; 3.45pm, v South Africa
Monday, September 18 – 2pm, v England; 7.15pm, v India
Tuesday, September 19 – 12.15pm, v Singapore; 5.30pm, v Sri Lanka
Thursday, September 21 – 2pm v Malaysia
Friday, September 22 – 3.30pm, semi-final
Saturday, September 23 – 3pm, grand final
Women
Saturday, September 16 – 5.15pm, v Australia
Sunday, September 17 – 2pm, v South Africa; 7.15pm, v New Zealand
Monday, September 18 – 5.30pm, v England
Tuesday, September 19 – 10.30am, v New Zealand; 3.45pm, v South Africa
Thursday, September 21 – 12.15pm, v Australia
Friday, September 22 – 1.30pm, semi-final
Saturday, September 23 – 1pm, grand final
THE SPECS
Engine: 6.75-litre twin-turbocharged V12 petrol engine
Power: 420kW
Torque: 780Nm
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Price: From Dh1,350,000
On sale: Available for preorder now
The specs: 2018 Volkswagen Teramont
Price, base / as tested Dh137,000 / Dh189,950
Engine 3.6-litre V6
Gearbox Eight-speed automatic
Power 280hp @ 6,200rpm
Torque 360Nm @ 2,750rpm
Fuel economy, combined 11.7L / 100km
EMIRATES'S%20REVISED%20A350%20DEPLOYMENT%20SCHEDULE
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