The Ministry of Health and Prevention has launched the pilot phase of its Healthy Food Program (CHP) called ‘Healthy food school box’ in Sharjah and Dubai to promote healthy diet in children and equip parents with the right knowledge about smart food choices and the nutritional value of their children’s school snacks. The experimental phase has been implemented at the American School of Creative Science in Sharjah and Al Mawakeb School in Al Barsha in Dubai.
H.E. Dr. Hussein Abdul Rahman Rand, Assistant Undersecretary for Centers and Health Clinics, said that the CHP is in line with the national initiative aimed at raising community awareness about healthy lifestyle to reduce the prevalence of lifestyle-related diseases This is within the framework of the Ministry's strategy to deliver comprehensive and integrated health care services in innovative and sustainable ways to prevent the occurrence of diseases.
Through the initiative, the Ministry seeks to promote healthy eating habits in students and encourage all community members to adopt a healthy lifestyle. The Ministry is working towards building a supportive environment for health and involving communities and civil society organizations in its programs.
H.E. Dr. Rand said that the Ministry has been collaborating with the Ministry of Education for its healthy food program and efforts to release a guide for school cafeterias in public and private schools. The Ministry is also at the forefront of implementing a school awareness guide, while shedding light on the negative effects of unhealthy food and beverages for kids. The Ministry’s healthy eating program is also designed to combat obesity in children and adolescents in response to the directive of H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to reduce the rate of obesity among children 5 to 17 years old by 12 per cent according to the objectives of the National Agenda 2021.
H.E. Dr. Fadila Mohamed Sherif, Director of Health Education and Promotion Department, pointed out that school snacks are an essential part of a child's diet. Recent research has shown that a school lunch box often contains sweet foods, sweetened beverages, instant noodles, and fast food rather than the nutritious dairy products, vegetables, fruits, and whole grains, which are good for bone and mind development.
She pointed out that obesity leads to non-communicable diseases, which put a heavy burden on the economy and affect the standard of living in society.