Obesity is the new malnutrition, parents warned ahead of UAE schools’ reopening
Dubai: Online or in-person classes — the resumption of schools from August 30 means that parents have to start thinking of school day meals for their children.
Nutrition is key to controlling childhood obesity, which is on the rise, especially since some children have too much screen time, owing to online learning.
The new malnutrition cause in kids
Dr Sameer Thylakandy Madakandy, general practitioner with a diploma in child health, from the Reem Al Nahda Medical and Diagnostics clinics of the Avivo Health Care Group, explained: “Today, the biggest manifestation of malnutrition is obesity. In the UAE, too many children are obese. In the last few months, children who have been confined to homes are not only suffering from sluggish metabolism but a vitamin D deficiency.
“So mothers will have to pay extra attention to provide age-appropriate nutrition and make sure they pack healthy meals which not only balances the carbohydrate, fat and protein intake, but also provides enough micronutrients to the child such as vitamins, mineral and enzymes.”
