My Health Conference In Sharjah Highlights Need For Initiatives To Enhance Physical Activity And Nutrition

The 10th 'My Health' Conference, organised by the Supreme Council for Family Affairs' Health Promotion Department, concluded with significant recommendations. Over 36 experts in health and lifestyle participated, focusing on enhancing physical activity and balanced nutrition, especially for children. They urged community institutions to implement health and sports programmes to improve individual well-being.

Experts highlighted the need to transform schools into environments that promote health. They called for comprehensive programmes to reduce stress in workplaces and educational settings. Additionally, they emphasised the importance of awareness campaigns to significantly boost mental health understanding within the community.

The conference underscored the importance of physical activity and balanced nutrition for everyone. Experts suggested that community institutions should adopt health-focused sports and nutrition initiatives. They also recommended training medical professionals to prescribe physical activity as both a preventive and therapeutic measure.

Introducing supportive laws and policies was another key point. Suggestions included government incentives for healthy food options and a classification system to highlight various foods' health benefits. These measures aim to encourage healthier lifestyle choices across society.

Mental health was a crucial focus area at the conference. Experts recommended initiatives to reduce workplace stress and simplified stress management training in schools. They stressed the necessity of widespread mental health awareness campaigns to mitigate mental illness risks.

On October 23-24, the event attracted over 2,170 attendees at the University of Sharjah, including academics, students, and professionals. The discussions aimed at fostering healthier community lifestyles through collaborative dialogue among participants.

Digital Solutions for Healthier Choices

The conference also addressed digital solutions for promoting healthier choices. It proposed improvements in delivery apps by displaying calorie counts and offering filters for healthier options. This approach aims to make it easier for consumers to select nutritious meals.

Additionally, there was an emphasis on increasing awareness about cyberbullying and reducing electronic addiction in educational and workplace environments. These efforts are intended to create safer digital spaces for all users.

Iman Rashid Saif, Director of the Health Promotion Department at SCFA, stated, "This edition tackled critical health issues that touch every segment of our society. From children to adults, students to workers, the event delivered tailored content that reinforces our vision of inclusive and holistic health for all."

Saif further added that this conference stood out due to its sharp focus on topics directly impacting daily life. The expert contributions reinforced their commitment to advancing health awareness and providing recommendations to enhance community life quality.

The conference's discussions culminated in calls for initiatives promoting physical activity and balanced nutrition among children. Experts urged community institutions to implement programmes that significantly enhance individual well-being through these efforts.

With inputs from WAM