“Eat Right Get Active” Expands to include 50 Private Schools

The program was piloted in 25 public schools in 2011-2012. Its aim is to reduce illnesses caused by unhealthy life style among school children in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.

Statistics shows that overweight is increasing to include 1 out of 3 children.  Underweight is also a health issue among 10% of students. Eating disorders are on the rise among females in high schools and colleges.  27% of students are suffering from Anemia.

Dr. Omniyat Al Hajri, Director of Public Health and Policy at HAAD, said: “In Collaboration with Abu Dhabi Education Council, the “Eat Right Get Active” program was administered in 25 schools in 2011, the pilot phase has revealed some significant results and hence we are now ready to welcome more schools to join the program.”

The Pilot phase results showed an increase by 60 percent for the intake of 7 servings or more of fruits during a week time among participating students. In addition there has been an increased availability of nutrition and physical activity policies as well as an increased use of tools promoting healthy eating.

Dr. Arwa Al Modwahi, Senior Officer in the Community Health and Surveillance Department at HAAD said: “with the support of Abu Dhabi Education Council, all private schools in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi were invited to register electronically for the “Eat Right Get Active” program for the school year 2012-2013. This year, Information about the school environment and participant’s characteristics including age, sex, height, weight, and body mass index (BMI) Percentile, in addition to a dietary and electronic physical activity questionnaire will be all automated and available in an electronic format for the end users. HAAD will be able to utilize this automated system to analyze dietary intakes, physical activity frequency among students and the schools environment.

The “Eat right Get Active” campaign is part of HAAD Schools for Health Program, a dedicated program to the health and well-being of the school students in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.

HAAD conducted a training workshop on Healthy Eating and Active Living for private schools representatives on how to administer the data and train students to approximate their food intake and physical activity levels over the course of a typical week. 

Workshop attendees discussed deploying HAAD newly automated developed various tools and methods in soliciting behavioral change at schools. Workshop attendees agreed on adopting healthy eating options and increasing physical activity from an early childhood among age.