Abu Dhabi - 21 April 2015

Over 1,200 students from public and private schools participated in the "let's walk" activity in Abu Dhabi today. The walkathon is part of the "Healthy Children 2021" national campaign of the National Program for Government Communication (NPGC), which was announced in January by H.H. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President, Prime Minister and Dubai Ruler.   

The campaign seeks to reduce the level of obesity amongst children in the UAE to 12% by the year 2021. Held on Abu Dhabi Corniche, the walkathon aims to highlight importance of exercise and physical activity as prevention strategies for obesity and its related diseases and to increase awareness and encourage adoption of healthy lifestyles among children in the community.

Organized by the Health Authority- Abu Dhabi (HAAD), the walkathon in Abu Dhabi corniche was attended by the Abu Dhabi Education Council, Abu Dhabi Police, Abu Dhabi City Municipality, The Higher Colleges of Technology as well as a number of government and local entities in Abu Dhabi.

Dr. Farida Al Hosani, Acting Director of Public Health and Research Division in HAAD said: "the walkathon is part of the national campaign 'Healthy Children 2021', which is  a government initiative reflecting UAE's wise leadership, by engaging children, families, decision makers, government entities and focus on healthy lifestyle. The event focusses on raising awareness about importance of physical exercise, which is a main pillar to improve health standards in the community, which is a key priority of HAAD."

The national campaign 'Healthy Children 2021' includes a number of awareness activities and events and can be viewed through social media platforms on Twitter, Instagram and Youtube: 'npgc2021' or websites: www.healthychildren2021.ae  and www.npgc2021.ae.

The national campaign 'Healthy Children 2021' is one of the main pillars of National Program for Government Communication (NPGC) that is guided by the National Agenda and UAE Vision2021. It has dedicated pillar to address obesity among children in the UAE and aims to foster efforts to promote healthy lifestyles in the UAE community.

A dedicated team from various federal and local authorities oversees the 'Healthy Children 2021' campaign in coordination with the private sector. The team is headed by the Ministry of Health and the membership of the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Social Affairs, General Authority for Youth and Sports, Dubai Health Authority, Health Authority - Abu Dhabi, in addition to membership of Government Communication Office of the cabinet.

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For further information, please contact:
Nedal Al Asaad / Omar Badran                                                                                  
ASDA'A Burson-Marsteller                                                         
Tel: (+971 4) 4507600; Fax: (+971 4) 4358040 
E-mail: nedal.alasaad@bm.com, omar.badran@bm.com

© Press Release 2015