Results From the United Arab Emirates’ 2018 Report Card on Physical Activity for Children and Youth

Abstract

Introduction: Since formation in 1971, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has experienced tremendous economic and industrial development that has improved the health, wealth, and education of the population.1 Concomitantly, there has been a shift from a traditional physically active outdoor lifestyle to a modern urbanised, indoor, and technology-driven lifestyle.1 Limited national surveillance from the last 10 years shows that only ∼20% of UAE children accumulate the recommended amount of moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity2 (MVPA; ≥60 minutes per day).3,4 Both Emirati and expatriate adults (∼89% of the UAE population)1 have high rates of obesity, diabetes mellitus, and cardiovascular disease.1,5,6 Hence, the low prevalence of physical activity (PA) amongst UAE children is a major concern as physical inactivity is an independent risk factor for future chronic disease. This paper presents the key findings from the UAE’s 2018 Report Card on PA for Children and Youth.