For a healthier and happier generation

At least this is what health officials hope to achieve in the next two years through enforcement of the recently approved Physical Activity at School Policy for 2013-2015.

The policy, the first for the emirate, will set in motion rules and guidelines that will ensure students get quality physical activity that will last a life time. Through the policy, officials hope to raise awareness and levels of exercise in Dubai. This policy complements the school canteen guidelines that ban junk food in school premises.

From interactive school lessons that will get students on their feet, to short ‘activity’ intervals between class periods, the policy will see students aged between five and 18 years in public and private schools exercise more. The subject will also be part of the curriculum in higher education classes.

“Every child should be given the chance to choose a sport they like ... this will remain with them for a life time,” said Dr Fathia Hatim Mohamed, Head of the Health Promotion Section at the Dubai Health Authority.

“Also, every child likes some game or the other, and this opportunity should be given to them even though it means keeping schools open after hours,” she said.

The policy put forward by the authority’s Health Policy and Strategy Sector has recently been approved by the Dubai Executive Council. It aims at providing better health to residents and reducing the burden of lifestyles diseases such as obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease and hypertension as well as its related risk factors.

“This can only be done by reducing physical inactivity, smoking and cutting out on an unhealthy diet,” said the doctor, adding that the most beneficial and cost effective way was to introduce effective intervention in schools.

Dr Fathia said: “The home is important but children spend more time at school ... it is easier for us to reach over 95 per cent of adolescents here.”

Alarm bells started ringing when a survey done by the WHO in 2010 pointed out that 40 per cent of schoolchildren in Dubai are overweight and 15 per cent obese. This prompted the DHA to conduct a survey of the status of physical education (PE) in schools. “We found that 47 per cent of schools substitute PE with other lessons,” said Dr Fathia. It was also found that 50 per cent of students spent hours sitting inactive in front of computers and television at homes.

“We want this to change ... we want students to be more active especially those in high school and graduation levels.”

Activity of 150 minutes for primary students and 225 minutes per week for high school students has been proposed based on international recommendations. Only medical students will be exempt from the rule.

“We want students to be given choices and variety ... aerobics should also be part of the daily routine while five to 10 minute breaks should be allowed in which students can just either walk or climb stairs,” she said.

The authority hopes to see involvement by the wider school community, including parents and school staff. “We are not saying that schools should bring sophisticated equipment for all this ... they just need to create an environment for more activity,” explained Dr Fathia. “Now subjects like maths and science are being taught interactively through group study that requires movement.”

The role of parents will be made clear as and when the policy guidelines are developed. “We are hoping this will be done by the first quarter of 2014,” she added. Besides the guidelines, the DHA will do capacity building and establish a youth risk analysing surveillance system.

“It must be remembered that exercise and a healthy diet go hand-in-hand,” added Dr Fathia.

Idea welcomed

The idea of introducing exercise and physical activity in schools was welcomed by a number of parents. Lamia Mustafa, an Egyptian mother of three, said that anything that was healthier for her children was welcome. “This is an interesting concept and it is a fact that my children need more exercise. I have not been able to encourage them to do any kind of exercise after they return because they are too tired. I am glad they will all be involved in some kind of activity in school that will make up for inactive hours spent in front of the TV.”

Farzeen Khan, a Pakistani housewife, hoped schools would not charge for after school activities. “It’s a good idea to open school grounds for students but then schools will charge extra for this facility. This will discourage parents who do not want to pay.”

Mariam Sayed, whose elder daughter is overweight, said that exercise for high school students was a must. “I am happy that authorities have thought about introducing exercise in high schools because older students need it more. The younger ones can run about and lose weight but how do we make the older ones to become engaged in physical activity?”

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At a glance

• 40% schoolchildren are overweight in Dubai
• 15% obese in Dubai
• 150 mins of PE per week proposed for primary students
• 225 mins of PE per week proposed for secondary school students
• 5 to10 mins recess proposed to allow students to walk, run, climb stairs etc
• Variety in sports should be made available
• Schools should open gates to allow physical activity after hours
• All students aged between five and 18 years should be part of some kind of physical activity asmaalizain@khaleejtimes.com