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Playtime Regulations in Schools to Trim the Fat

The Dubai Health Authority is under the process of formulating the first ever physical activity protocol for all private schools in Dubai which will make it compulsory for them to mandate a number of hours for exercise for all grades students.

The proposed physical activity guidelines will define the number of Physical Education (PE) sessions and activity hours required for each grade per day. “We are also insisting that the physical activity periods should not be used to cover up for missed school lessons,” said Dr Fatma Al Attar, Specialist Family Physician and Head of Community Programme Section, Public
Health and Safety Department at
the authority.

The guidelines are yet to be presented to the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) and will be implemented only after the KHDA gives its approval.

“All such interventions are planned to cut down on the increasing obesity levels in children in the country,”
she said.

A recent country-wide survey conducted by the UAE health ministry found that over 50 per cent of the school children were obese. In Dubai alone, 26.7 per cent students are overweight and 12.2 per cent were found to be obese.

“These are astounding numbers,” said Dr Al Attar. “This is the reason why we are formulating different plans including healthy eating and proper exercising so as to tackle the issue starting at the bottom level,” she added.

The authority is also planning to introduce two physical activity programmes in coordination with the UAE National Olympics Committee for elementary school (KG1-G6) and
for G7-G12.

Meanwhile, the updated dietary guidelines for private schools in Dubai are ready to be implemented by next month, said Dr Fatima Al Attar, Specialist Family Physician and Head of Community Programme Section, Public Health and Safety Department at the Dubai Health Authority.

“The manual is ready and by next month, we should be issuing it to schools,” she explained.

It outlines that the school canteen should meet all requirements by food monitoring department and the food providing companies should be licensed. It also says that canteen workers should be medically fit and certified by the health authority.

It also suggests that lunch and snacks offered at the canteen should include four food groups including fruits and vegetables, dairy products, starch, meat and substitutes.

Guidelines for the cooked foodstuff are also mentioned such as limiting of frying and breading, serving of clear soups only and offering food that is stir fried, poached, steamed, and grilled.

“Safe drinking water sources should be available, water tanks should be kept clean and closed tightly and water purified periodically, cartridge of the water filters should be changed as recommended and cleaning and maintaining reports should be obtained after periodical cleaning,” it reads.

“A team of health workers will keep a periodical check on the canteens and school clinics to see if the implementation has been done,” she added.

asmaalizain@khaleejtimes.ae

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