Childhood Obesity Prevention in Emirates: A Conceptual Framework for an Anti-Obesogenic Pilot Intervention

In essence, this proposed conceptual framework has been designed to address childhood obesity and its related risk factors through coherent public health nutrition strategy for intervention at school level. Today more than ever, there is an urgent demand for a multi-disciplinary team to build an 'anti-obesogenic' environment where healthy living is an effortless priority. The aims, objectives, expected outcomes, plan of action (intervention approach and methods) and method of assessing its effectiveness in this proposed pilot intervention were developed in an attempt to revert the rising trend of childhood obesity in United Arab Emirates. It also looks into the role of school, family and community as a whole on children's health and promotes healthy lifestyle approach to obtain sustainable changes. This employed public health methodology of prevention is seen as the most affordable and sustainable plan of actions to deal with obesity epidemic. It is anticipated that the emerged outcomes from this pilot programme assist policy makers and stakeholders to build a competent health promotion scenario and make sure that school children have access to healthy foods and exercise facilities. Immediate action, therefore, is needed to regress the rising trend of obesity and related chronic diseases.