JEDDAH, 8 March 2005 — A ten-day national nutrition campaign, sponsored by the Saudi Pediatrics Association, has got under way with educational and entertainment programs to drive home health awareness to all sections of society.
Dr. Khayriya Musa, president of the campaign’s scientific committee, told Arab News that two days of the program are set apart for doctors and paramedics and a day for patients and parents.
She said that medical teams visit schools daily during the campaign period. “We are giving lectures, distributing brochures and conducting medical checkups for students with the permission of parents.”
As part of the campaign, medical exhibitions are held daily at shopping centers in Jeddah.
Dr. Abudul Rahman Al-Swailem, president of the Saudi Pediatrics Association who heads the campaign, has warned people against the dangers of neglecting children’s health.
He said that the campaign seeks to spread awareness among the families about the importance of breastfeeding and healthy food habits.
Yasir Al-Ghamdi, general director of health affairs in Makkah region, said the campaign aims to change the concept of malnutrition in our society. Malnutrition doesn’t only imply a slim body; it also connotes obesity and weight gain, he added.
Abdul Lateef Alddirees, director general of health in the Jeddah governorate, said malnutrition is affecting more than 40 percent of the population.
“It is very surprising that malnutrition is increasing in a wealthy country like Saudi Arabia. This has driven us to review this subject especially as malnutrition affects children in middle class and upper middle class communities,” he added.
