Abu Dhabi convenes roundtable to advance action on childhood overweight and obesity
Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre (ADPHC), in partnership with the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood (SCMC) and the UNICEF Gulf Area Office, convened a high-level roundtable in Abu Dhabi to review progress and accelerate strategic action to prevent childhood overweight and obesity across the emirate.
The roundtable brought together senior leaders, global experts, educators, health professionals, and youth representatives from across sectors including health, education, early childhood development, and community engagement. Participants reviewed the latest evidence on effective interventions and discussed practical, multi-level strategies to create healthier environments that support children’s wellbeing.
Discussions highlighted the shared urgency for sustained collaboration to reshape food systems, embed prevention across public policies, and empower families and young people to take an active role in improving health outcomes. The session served as a unified platform for partners to share ongoing initiatives, address existing barriers, and identify opportunities to scale evidence-based programmes that support healthier lifestyles for children.
ADPHC presented updates on its comprehensive portfolio of childhood obesity prevention initiatives, including the SEHHI programme, which focuses on improving food environments by increasing access to healthy food options in schools, nurseries, and community settings. The Public Health Ambassadors Programme was also highlighted as a key initiative for nurturing youth leadership and engagement in health advocacy.
SCMC outlined its continued efforts to elevate child wellbeing and youth participation across national priorities, while partner entities such as the Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK) and the Early Childhood Authority (ECA) shared initiatives aimed at addressing childhood overweight and obesity through school-based and early intervention programmes. UNICEF contributed global expertise and best practices from international child health programmes, reinforcing the importance of multisector collaboration and sustained investment.
H.E. Dr. Rashed Al Suwaidi, Director General of ADPHC, said the focus of the roundtable was on the systems shaping children’s daily experiences, noting that effective prevention requires structural change. He emphasised the importance of strengthening the implementation of existing policy frameworks to promote healthy design, ensure equitable access to nutritious food, and engage young people as partners in developing solutions.
H.E. Rym bint Abdullah Al Falasy, Secretary-General of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood, said the discussion addressed one of the most critical issues affecting families in the UAE. She noted that childhood overweight and obesity have a direct impact on children’s physical health, wellbeing, and quality of life, and expressed confidence that the session would result in practical solutions to reduce prevalence and long-term consequences.
Lana Al Wreikat, UNICEF Director of the Gulf Area Office, said UNICEF remains committed to working with partners in the UAE to strengthen food systems, advance evidence-based policies, and ensure nutrition is positioned as a cornerstone of national development. She highlighted the importance of engaging children and adolescents directly, noting that empowered young people play a vital role in building healthier and more resilient societies.
Participants also underscored the need to strengthen early detection systems, promote healthier school and food environments, expand opportunities for physical activity, and enhance nutrition education for families. Youth representatives shared firsthand insights into the challenges they face and the support needed to adopt healthier lifestyles.
The outcomes of the roundtable will inform the next phase of Abu Dhabi’s preventive health agenda, with a focus on early intervention, healthier school and community environments, family empowerment, youth engagement, and the delivery of evidence-based programmes with measurable impact—supporting the long-term vision of a healthier, more active generation across the emirate.
