Policy for better health choices

We need a comprehensive policy to address unhealthy lifestyles and diet choices

Schoolchildren should be offered intense exercise at school instead of a regular physical education lesson, an academic says. Pawan Singh / The National

The high percentage of physically inactive persons – nearly 58 per cent of the population – and the prevalence of lifestyle diseases require a comprehensive prevention policy targeting both lifestyle and diet. When it comes to children, it’s alarming to see that only 17 per cent of children achieved the daily recommendation of at least 60 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity activity, according to the Report Card on Physical Activity for Children and Youth 2016.

As The National reported yesterday, academics called for a more strategic approach to physical activities in schools. Dr Sarah Dalibalta of the American University of Sharjah said that new physical activity guidelines should include introducing intense cardio and strength training exercises at school instead of a regular physical education lesson. These sessions, as she says, can also be used to monitor children's biochemistry and physiology and make sure they are heading in the right direction.

A change in approach is, indeed, needed. There is a reason why current PE lessons are not very popular among students. These classes include activities that are repetitive and not tailored to students’ different needs and interests.

What can also be done is to make PE classes more interesting by including more leisure games and sports that suit our climate, such as jiu-jitsu, indoor football and squash. More diverse classes may help develop students’ interest in physical activity. Along with that, the newly introduced health subject in schools will increase their awareness health issues.

But this is only one component in the fight against lifestyle diseases. There is also a need to develop food policies to promote healthy diets among children, as well as the wider population. Unfortunately, there is an excess of junk food compared to healthy food options. This is visible in our coverage of so-called freakshakes that are currently making a splash. This can also be noticeable in a simple search on any food delivery app. Without intervention, unhealthy options will only keep growing, to the detriment of our collective well-being.