Schools in Abu Dhabi are enforcing new regulations to promote nutritious lunches, aiming to curb childhood obesity and enhance cognitive and physical development through healthier dietary choices.
Schools in Abu Dhabi are urging parents to pay closer attention to what goes into children’s lunch boxes, as education authorities and health specialists push for more balanced meals during the school day. The advice comes alongside tighter rules on what may be sold in canteens, with officials seeking to curb the availability of foods that are high in sugar, salt and fat and low in nutritional value.
The concern is not only about short-term energy levels. Health figures released by the Ministry of Health and Prevention in January showed that 16.1% of children aged six to 17 were living with obesity, compared with 2.2% of children under five. The ministry said the analysis followed World Health Organisation standards and used advanced statistical methods based on growth indicators to measure excess weight and obesity.
Schools have been encouraging families to build lunch boxes around fruit, vegetables, water and other nutrient-rich foods, while cutting back on processed meats, sweetened drinks and packaged snacks. They also want parents to use safe food containers and to teach children to eat their meals and drink water during the school day. The guidance reflects a broader effort to make school food a shared responsibility between homes and classrooms.
Dr Adel Sijwani, a family medicine consultant, said repeated reliance on unhealthy food can contribute to obesity, which is linked to high blood pressure, diabetes and heart disease, as well as poorer cognitive performance. He also warned that poor eating habits formed early in life can shape later health risks, including some cancers, even if a person’s diet improves in adulthood.
Dr Aya Abdulnasser, a paediatrician, said a properly balanced school meal supports concentration, memory and problem-solving because the brain needs a steady supply of energy. She said mid-day meals also help children recover energy, stay active in lessons and maintain healthier moods, while reducing the chances of long-term conditions such as obesity, type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
Dietitian Dr Fatima bin Ammar said good nutrition during school years strengthens immunity, supports physical and mental development and helps children remain alert through the day. She said a balanced diet should draw on five main food groups: grains, vegetables, fruit, proteins, and milk and dairy products. Water, she added, should always be part of the lunch box because dehydration can affect attention and understanding.
The Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge has told schools to reinforce healthy eating through canteens, cafés, kiosks and vending machines, as well as food brought from home and served at school events. Schools are also expected to monitor mealtimes, identify possible eating disorders or food-related bullying, encourage children to try healthier foods and reduce waste, with extra supervision in kindergarten and the early years. The department has also allowed schools to reshape individual snack items into fuller lunches, so long as they meet nutritional standards, while asking them to remain sensitive to family budgets.
The Ministry of Health and Prevention launched its “School Canteen Lab” initiative earlier this year with education partners to involve students directly in designing healthier meals. The programme is intended to support the national nutrition strategy for 2030 and improve acceptance of healthier options by allowing children, parents and school staff to test and refine meal ideas together.
Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
