Chunky Children: Childhood Obesity Becoming a Large Problem in Dubai
Many expats in Dubai enjoy the modern, comfortable, Westernized lifestyle the city has to offer. However, with this convenience can come challenges, particularly when it comes to maintaining good nutrition and staying active. These issues don’t just affect adults; they impact our children as well.
Despite our best efforts, kids can easily develop unhealthy habits that lead to childhood obesity, which can be a serious threat to their physical and mental health. In this Pacific Prime Dubai article, we explore the growing issue of childhood obesity and what parents can do to combat it.
Figures of Childhood Obesity in Dubai
A recent study involving over 163,000 children and adolescents in Dubai has uncovered a troubling trend: 28.7% are classified as overweight or obese (OAO), with 14.4% identified as obese and 3% as severely obese. The findings show that boys and younger children (ages 3–8) are particularly at risk.
This significant increase in numbers of childhood obesity should be a concern for families and communities across Dubai. The city’s population is in an urgent need for early interventions to prevent the children from serious long-term health consequences, such as type 2 diabetes and heart disease.
Socioeconomic status continues to play a role, with affluence often linked to sedentary lifestyles and poor eating habits, which are the main factors that contribute to the generational cycle of obesity in the region.
Causes of Childhood Obesity in the UAE Today
Childhood obesity in Dubai and across the UAE comes down to two key factors: poor diet and lack of physical activity. In many high-income households, children have constant access to highly processed, calorie-dense foods with little nutritional value.
Another major contributor is excessive screen time. With nearly everyone having access to smartphones, tablets, and other digital devices, children are spending more time than ever indoors and inactive, leading to sedentary lifestyle habits.
Digital entertainment, such as YouTube, social media, and online games, has replaced physical play. Where children once spent their afternoons outdoors, running around and socializing with neighborhood friends, many now stay indoors, glued to screens for hours on end.
Despite many parents’ intentions to prioritize outdoor activity, a recent study revealed that more than one-third of children in the UAE are getting more than seven hours of screen time daily—far above recommended limits.
These habits are hard to break, especially when they’re part of a broader lifestyle shaped by convenience, fast food, and digital dependence. Reversing this trend will take more than awareness—it requires coordinated action from families, schools, and policymakers.
Child Obesity Prevention and Treatment in Dubai
Managing a child’s weight begins at home, with parents playing a crucial role in guiding their children’s eating and activity habits. Parental involvement is essential to encourage healthy lifestyle choices from an early age.
The journey toward healthy weight management starts as early as pregnancy. The World Health Organization (WHO) advises women to maintain a healthy weight before conception and during pregnancy. Breastfeeding is also recommended by the WHO as a protective measure against childhood obesity.
Schools across the UAE have also stepped up their efforts to combat childhood obesity by tightening regulations on food served in school canteens.
Since 2011, Dubai’s Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) and the Dubai Health Authority (DHA) have banned the sale of sugary drinks, chips, chocolates, and other junk food in school cafeterias, replacing them with healthier alternatives such as fruits, salads, and whole grains.
Schools in Abu Dhabi also followed a similar policy and required that all students have access to a meal every day, and schools should be vigilant about food-related behavior, such as eating disorders and food-related bullying.
If a child is already overweight or obese, it’s important to remember that positive change is always possible. Parents should consult with their child’s doctor and nutritionist to develop a personalized plan for a healthier diet.
Protect Your Child’s Health with Pacific Prime Dubai
Empowering your child to lead a healthy lifestyle is an ongoing journey. While building good habits can happen in just a few weeks, maintaining them requires consistency and support, especially with the everyday temptations of unhealthy food and laziness.
If you have questions about how health insurance can support your family’s wellness—whether it’s prevention, treatment, or ongoing care for obesity—our team at Pacific Prime Dubai is here to help. We offer expert advice, plan comparisons, and free quotes to ensure your family is protected.
Reach out to Pacific Prime Dubai today and discover how we can help you safeguard your child’s health for the future.
Serena earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from the University of British Columbia, Canada. As such, she is an avid advocate of mental health and is fascinated by all things psychology (especially if it’s cognitive psychology!).
Her previous work experience includes teaching toddlers to read, writing for a travel/wellness online magazine, and then a business news blog. These combined experiences give her the skills and insights she needs to explain complex ideas in a succinct way. Being the daughter of an immigrant and a traveler herself, she is passionate about educating expats and digital nomads on travel and international health insurance.
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