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Kuwait’s ‘Combating Childhood Obesity’ project 74% complete

The project, which is set for completion by 2027, aims to reduce iron deficiency anemia in pregnant mothers, increase child-friendly hospital births, raise breastfeeding rates, and halt the rise in childhood obesity.

Kuwait’s ‘Combating Childhood Obesity’ project aims to raise the percentage of births in child-friendly hospitals from 18% to 28% and increase the breastfeeding rate from 10% to 15%.

Childhood obesity is a major health challenge in Kuwait, with the 2019 nutritional surveillance showing weight gain rates of 5.8% for children under two, 6% for those under five, and 20% for those aged 5 to 19.

 

Kuwait’s development plan includes several initiatives aimed at building a healthy, disease-free society. One such project, “Combating Childhood Obesity,” is currently in its executive stage, with over 74% completed. Sources tell Al-Qabas newspaper that the project is expected to be fully realized by 2027.

The sources indicated that childhood obesity is one of the most serious public health challenges globally and in Kuwait. They pointed out that, according to the 2019 results of the annual nutritional surveillance program, the weight gain rate for children under two years old was 5.8%, for those under five years old was 6%, and for the five to 19-year-old group was 20%.

The same study showed that the obesity rate in children under two years old was 2.5%, while it was 2.8% in children under five years old, and 28% in the five to 19-year-old group.

The sources also highlighted that global goals aim to stop overweight in children by 2025 and eliminate obesity, with the target of reducing weight gain in children under five to 3% by 2030, making this one of the most important objectives.

The sources pointed out that the objectives of the development project include reducing the percentage of pregnant mothers with iron deficiency anemia from 40% to 35%. The project also aims to increase the percentage of births in child-friendly hospitals from 18% to 28%, raise the breastfeeding rate from 10% to 15%, and halt the rise in the percentage of children and adolescents suffering from overweight or obesity.

The sources emphasized that the project is working on ensuring all government and private health facilities comply with the Kuwait Code, which regulates the marketing of breast milk substitutes. Additionally, it aims to raise awareness among pregnant and breastfeeding mothers about proper nutrition, feeding, and child care.

The sources concluded by noting that one of the project’s goals is to develop the capabilities of workers in maternal and child care to improve health services and contribute to providing safe food options with low sugar, salt, and trans fats. It also aims to enhance nutrition services for school students and invest in school canteens.

Objectives of the project:

  1. Stop the increase in obesity among children.
  2. Increase breastfeeding rates.
  3. Raise mothers awareness of proper nutrition.
  4. Develop nutrition services for school students.
  5. Improve school canteen services.


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