UNICEF Maldives has convened a second ‘Roundtable Consultation on Nutrition and Healthy Lifestyle’ aimed at tackling overweight and obesity among children, adolescents, and women.
Speaking at the opening session of the round-table on Monday, First Lady Fazna Ahmed emphasised the need for a collaborative approach involving both the government and society to promote nutrition and healthy lifestyles among Maldivians. In addition to advocating for a healthy diet and regular exercise, she underscored the importance of mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being.
Drawing from her extensive experience in the education sector, the First Lady highlighted three initiatives Thaajudheen School undertook to promote healthy lifestyles. These include a weekly exercise programme, a four-year ‘Milk and Exercise Programme’ for a select group of students, and a programme encouraging students to make healthy dietary choices.
The round-table aimed to identify and discuss the trends, patterns, levels, and drivers of malnutrition, introduce the Nutrition and Healthy Lifestyles flagship “Kaigen Hinagamaa,” and establish a collective impact platform to mobilise champions for nutrition.
The event was organised with the Health Protection Agency (HPA), the Maldives Food and Drug Authority (MFDA), the Ministry of Education, and local non-governmental organisations.
