DHA Nutrition department educates adolescents on how to take charge of their health.

Seven per cent reduction in obesity levels after DHA conducts workshops on healthy lifestyle

257 children across four schools in Dubai educated on healthy lifestyle choices 

Dubai, United Arab Emirates, November 14, 2016:  The Dubai Health Authority’s Nutrition department has reached out to 257 adolescents across four schools in Dubai to educate them about the importance of leading a healthy lifestyle.

A series of workshops were conducted for the adolescents and the department chalked out a nutrition and fitness plan for adolescents who were obese. Post the implementation of this program, the department recorded a drop of 7 per cent in obesity levels from among the children who were obese and were put on the weight loss plan.

Dr. Waffa Ayesh, Director of Clinical Nutrition at the DHA, said: “ This campaign is part of our ongoing efforts to reach out to school children. We are constantly carrying out awareness activities for school children.  This, time we wanted to focus on adolescents as they are at a stage where they will soon be young adults and they will make independent decisions in life so it’s important they understand the need to take charge of their health and lead a healthy life so that do not face health problems due to poor lifestyle choices.”

“The behavioral patterns established during these developmental periods help determine young people's current health status and their risk for developing chronic diseases in adulthood and therefore such programs which  focus on the use of positive youth development interventions for preventing adolescent health risk behaviors are vital.”

The department also distributed educational material on healthy nutrition.