There are many things Abu Dhabi stands out for; a burgeoning city landscape, top-of the range sporting facilities, sell-out concerts ... the list goes on. But beyond high praise and pleasing headlines, there are still more serious issues to tackle as Abu Dhabi continues to grow.

Written by: Charlie Kennedy

With mass-development comes international fast-food chains. With the summer heat approaching comes the excuse to stay indoors and watch television. And with all the excuses – increasingly made from a young age – comes an increasingly large problem.

Obesity is not new news in the capital and the health risks are too clear with diabetes one of the leading health concerns in the UAE. Recent survey findings conducted by Global School Survey confirm 12.1 percent of adolescents across Abu Dhabi are overweight or obese. An estimated 20 percent of Abu Dhabi residents are thought to have diabetes. It’s clear that people are biting off far more than they can – or rather, should, chew.

So the news that authorities are calling for a massive overhaul in the attitudes – and actions – of children's health is a welcome relief.

As part of the health move, physical education has become mandatory in public and private schools throughout the Emirate. A reassuring measure to hopefully decrease the statistic that 70 percent of overweight adolescents will end up as obese adults.

Another preventative and educational measure as part of the new School Health Strategy is to improve children's nutrition, and to stop them from starting to smoke. School canteens and cafeterias are to be improved, with calorie allowances set for different age groups.

It’s all a positive step forward. Perhaps more importantly, education on healthy living is something that needs to be taken outside the classroom too. Surely the real test will be out of school gates and into the child's home?

Choices between fast-food or an apple or a new video-game versus a walk in the park are all too easy to succumb to, but hopefully with a little effort all-round, the message will soon spread.

And it’s not just an educational message for children. What about adults too? How do you teach an adult to change habits that they may not know affects their health, or that they’ve become used to – or quite frankly – enjoy doing?

Perhaps it’s then time for role reversal. And for children to take those newly learned habits out of the classroom and into the home.

It’s a small step, but one that has the potential to grow.