SEHA’s specialist childhood obesity service helps overweight 13-year-old lose 11kg in four months

(Abu Dhabi, UAE) - Abu Dhabi Health Services Company (SEHA), the UAE’s largest healthcare network, is helping to fight childhood obesity through the wide range of services offered at its two Children’s Specialty Centers where youngsters learn to control and reduce their weight and improve their overall wellbeing.

The centers, at Al Mushrif Children's Specialty Center in Abu Dhabi and Al Towayya Al Ain, are the first and only DOH-accredited pediatric obesity management centers.

UAE National, Matar Al Aryani is among the youngsters receiving ongoing medical and nutritional advice and care at Al Mushrif Children's Specialty Center. The 13-year-old, who was enrolled from February to June this year, successfully lost 11 kilograms and reduced his Body Mass Index (BMI), a calculation of a person’s body fat based on their height and weight, from 32.11kg/m2 to 27.05 kg/m2.

As part of his treatment, Matar received comprehensive multidisciplinary care, including five pediatric obesity clinics, four physiotherapy visits and three dietician visits, as well as dental care and hygiene advice. The youngster is still under the center’s supervision, with staff aiming to bring his weight down further while supporting him in adopting a healthy lifestyle.

Lina Juny, Dietician at Al Mushrif Children’s Specialty Center, said: “Childhood obesity is often a complex issue with roots in genetic and behavioral mechanisms. To tackle the problem, we must analyse the psychological issues that may be underlying the child’s eating habits and promote a healthier lifestyle. Any new dietary regimen should not be restrictive or difficult to implement, but rather adaptable to a child’s daily life. We are very proud of Matar’s progress and we will continue to work with him and his family to continue his journey to adopting a healthy lifestyle.”

Dr. Amal Al Jaberi, Al Mushrif Children’s Specialty Center Manager and Specialist Pediatrician, said: “The multidisciplinary specialized pediatric services available at Al Mushrif Children’s Speciality Center provide a wide range of offerings such as endocrinology, cardiology, physiotherapy, nutrition, psychiatry, psychology and dental. This ensures that the child receives all the medical, physical, and nutritional healthcare they need under one roof and in a supportive environment.

“SEHA has established two fully equipped pediatric speciality centers in Al Mushrif and Al Towayya that place the child at the very focus of healthcare, with each center providing the full cycle of wellbeing and healthcare.”

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