A set of nutritional guidelines, based on recommendations of the World health Organisation (WHO), have been drafted by the UAE Ministry of Health (MoH).
The comprehensive nutrition measures, unveiled at a MoH and WHO joint seminar, aim at preventing increasing non-communicable diseases and improving the general well-being of UAE residents.
"The guidelines will be put into place as part of the National Nutritional Strategy and Action Plan for 2010-2015, proposals for improvements and changes in methods of food preparation and consumption in the household," said a senior MoH official.
Dr Zeinab Taha, Nutrition Consultant at the Maternal and Child Health Dept of the MoH, said, "Nutritional education programmes will be conducted in health centres, schools, and women's associations as part of the strategy. Nutrition guide for families, adolescent girls, kids and pregnant women will be supplied across the country," she declared.
Dr Salah Al Badawi, Director of National Project for Control of Diabetes at the MoH, said, "The nutrition strategy will outline conditions to develop a better dietary culture in school canteens as well as hospitals' dietary and nutrition departments. The residents are also urged to include iodised salt in one's diet to avoid serious diseases."
For new-borns
"The new guidelines will promote breastfeeding culture and ensure adequate intake of micronutrients such as iodine and iron. It will also tackle food fortification issues. An action plan and a national monitoring system in this regard will be developed by the beginning of the coming year," he added.
Dr Ayoub Aljawaldeh, Regional Advisor in Nutrition for WHO's Eastern Mediterranean regional office, said the strategy becomes significant as malnutrition and obesity related diseases are high in the region.
Aljawaldeh pointed ou that poor quality of life, ignoring prevention of diseases, micronutrient deficiencies and nutritional welfare of women and children and food-borne diseases will also be addressed by the national nutrition strategy. » Back |