Dubai Health Authority, Unilever partner to promote healthy living

Consumer goods company Unilever has teamed up with the Dubai Health Authority (DHA) to help Dubai residents achieve healthier lifestyles.

"Unilever is proud to promote well-being, health and quality of life," Waqas Javed, marketing director of foods, refreshments and home care of Unilever Gulf, said. "We’ve designed initiatives in association with the DHA to increase activity and encourage good eating and drinking habits."

Among the many initiatives that will be featured in the yearlong campaign will be one focused on
teaching students in Dubai the importance of daily exercise and healthy eating.

"The partnership reinforces the DHA’s commitment to promote health awareness and prevent disease prevalence by reaching out to the community and educating them," DHA Director-General Humaid Al Qatami said. "The DHA has a number of school health programs and we are glad to launch another health education program that particularly targets adolescents in the emirate. We believe that forming good habits at a younger age is more effective than addressing issues later on."

Other initiatives will include placing stationary bikes within the waiting areas of DHA health facilities and informing the public on what foods they should consume prior to and after exercise. The latter is part of DHA's annual Anges Akhtar (Do More) initiative.