3-day Sehati Conference to discuss ways to curb obesity
SHARJAH — The Sehati Conference is back for its seventh edition with a focus on nutrition as a key factor in preventing obesity, especially among the youth.
Under the patronage of Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, wife of the Ruler of Sharjah and chairperson of the Supreme Council for Family Affairs, the conference will be held from November 26 to 28 at the University of Sharjah.
The event will be organised by the Health Promotion Department, which is affiliated with the Sharjah Supreme Family Council. Among the department’s collaborators are the World Health Organisation (WHO), the Ministry of Health and Prevention (Mohap), the University of Sharjah and the Arab-German Young Academy of Sciences and Humanities (Agya).
Obesity, being among the most prevalent health issues today, has been chosen as Sehati’s focal point this year, in line with the UAE Vision 2021 National Agenda of creating a healthcare system that can curb the spread of obesity, especially among children.
The UAE’s healthcare sector has been making headway in the fight against obesity. Mohap, for example, had launched a comprehensive framework that addressed weight issues among five to 17-year-olds, said Dr Hussein Abdel Rahman Al Rand, assistant undersecretary for the health clinics and centres sector at the ministry.
Dr Tareq Osaili, member of Agya, said that based on statistics, 13 per cent of the global population suffer from obesity, and it is considered one of the most common causes of diabetes, high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease.
Curbing obesity rates is part of Sharjah’s initiatives that fall under the emirate’s ‘Serving the People’ plan.
Iman Rashid Saif, director of the Health Promotion Department and chairman of the supreme committee of the conference, said this plan maps out a comprehensive healthcare system that prioritises residents’ well-being.
Dr Ayoub Al Jawaldeh, regional adviser in nutrition at the WHO, hailed Sharjah’s efforts in healthcare, particularly in preventing noncommunicable diseases.
WHO regional meet
On Monday, the Sehati organiser also announced that the first day of
the conference would feature the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) regional meet to be held with the theme ‘Talk, Listen, Change’.
Several local and international experts, as well as hobbyists and enthusiasts within and outside the country, will be taking part in this year’s Sehati Conference, the department said.
The conference is open to all. Interested people may register by calling 80080000.