Schools need tighter food portions for healthy diet

Schools must look at the size of food portions being given to pupils to ensure they are not encouraging early health problems, an official has said.

Dubai Municipality said schools were gradually getting the message about to serving healthier food. But it said quality and quantity needed to be looked at next.

The authority’s “Person-in-Charge” drive means every school needs a member of staff whose job is to push for healthy food choices. About seven in 10 have one but the system is a work in progress.

“We are trying to get the persons-in-charge assigned by schools and ensure they can make decisions about menus,” said Jehaina Al Ali, head of the applied nutrition unit at the municipality.

“We are creating new training programmes for decision-makers in the schools to help them promote healthier eating.”

Ms Al Ali said a pilot training course would begin in July. “Obesity and diabetes rates are very high among children and some pupils are suffering from hypertension,” she said.

“Now, we are looking further into the quality of the food that needs to be portion controlled.”

The municipality is visiting schools to ensure they are implementing guidelines. It is also meeting catering companies to ensure guidelines can be brought in by September.

“We have to make sure pupils avoid the processed food dominant in the diet here, and eat the required fruit and vegetable portions,” Ms Al Ali said.