We are putting our children's lives at risk with a diet of fast food and little exercise. The cost will mount as they get older – not simply because of the financial implications of treating obesity-related conditions but because their life expectancy will be significantly shortened as a result. That was the message from the Child Obesity Forum in Abu Dhabi this week, where more than 300 health experts and doctors have gathered to tackle a growing crisis.
Figures from the World Obesity Federation show child obesity cases in the UAE are on the rise. In Dubai alone, one in five children under the age of 11 is deemed obese, while nearly half of 11 to 16-year-olds are overweight, according to Dubai Health Authority. We don't have to look very far to find the culprits. Comfortable, sedentary lifestyles, a lack of exercise and the ease of access to fast food almost everywhere all contribute to creating a larger population. While many benefit from the good life here, there is a downside to having everything on your doorstep. In fact, we are creating huge problems for future generations. Health care to deal with obesity-related diseases is expected to cost nearly $50 billion by 2040.
A key suggestion to tackling the epidemic is setting up exclusion zones around schools preventing fast food outlets from opening nearby. The tactic has already been rolled out by 20 authorities in the UK, who said "pester power" was undermining parents' efforts to control their children's diets. What is clear is that a multi-prong approach is needed to ensure children are gearing toward a health future. That doesn't simply mean parents controlling the levels of sugar and fat they consume or sports teachers getting them to participate in the school gym. Fast food companies have a responsibility not to target the young and vulnerable through advertising and to make the nutritional value of their products clearer. Of course, commercial interests will always prevail so until children are old enough to make sensible decisions for themselves, taking junk food out of the equation – or out of easy reach – might just be the best option.
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Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
The White Lotus: Season three
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Starring: Walton Goggins, Jason Isaacs, Natasha Rothwell
Rating: 4.5/5
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Engine: Four electric motors, one at each wheel
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MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE – FINAL RECKONING
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NYBL PROFILE
Company name: Nybl
Date started: November 2018
Founder: Noor Alnahhas, Michael LeTan, Hafsa Yazdni, Sufyaan Abdul Haseeb, Waleed Rifaat, Mohammed Shono
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Software Technology / Artificial Intelligence
Initial investment: $500,000
Funding round: Series B (raising $5m)
Partners/Incubators: Dubai Future Accelerators Cohort 4, Dubai Future Accelerators Cohort 6, AI Venture Labs Cohort 1, Microsoft Scale-up
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May 9, v Malaysia
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May 15, v Qatar
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May 20, final
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Gulf rugby
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Western Clubs Champions League: Bahrain
Dubai Rugby Sevens: Dubai Hurricanes
West Asia Premiership: Bahrain
What’s left
UAE Conference
March 22, play-offs:
Dubai Hurricanes II v Al Ain Amblers, Jebel Ali Dragons II v Dubai Tigers
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March 22, play-offs:
Dubai Exiles v Jebel Ali Dragons, Abu Dhabi Harlequins v Dubai Hurricanes
March 29, final
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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EU fishing vessels guaranteed access to UK waters for 12 years
Co-operation on security initiatives and procurement of defence products
Youth experience scheme to work, study or volunteer in UK and EU countries
Smoother border management with use of e-gates
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The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre flat-six twin-turbocharged
Transmission: eight-speed PDK automatic
Power: 445bhp
Torque: 530Nm
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