Sami Abdel Raouf (Dubai)
The Emirates Health Services Corporation stressed the importance of mental health among students and its role in enhancing the outcomes of academic achievement, noting the need to take into account many matters and aspects, especially with the beginning of the academic year, to enhance the quality of healthy life among school students.
In response to the Union’s inquiries, the Foundation indicated that adequate sleep, proper nutrition, and personal hygiene are among the factors that contribute significantly to enhancing the mental health of students, and enhance their confidence and activity on the physical and mental levels, in addition to the role of the family in developing the child’s skills. Through effective communication, instilling positive concepts and practices, and developing spiritual aspects.
Dr. Olfat Al Zaabi, Head of the Department of Medicine and Intensive Care for Children at Fujairah Hospital of the Emirates Health Services Corporation, stated that the summer vacation contributes to changing some habits of children according to the family culture.
She pointed to the importance of family awareness and knowledge of the number of hours a child needs to sleep, which ranges from 10 to 12 hours according to the age group, especially with students returning to school, in addition to proper nutrition, as they are among the most important factors for good mental health in children.
She explained that the last days of the summer vacation are very important for families to reorganize their children’s sleep schedules, by adopting a gradual regulation of sleep schedules in preparation for the school year, explaining that the families’ orientation to enroll their children in summer camps and centers during the vacation, enhances children’s activity, and preserves They have balanced sleep schedules, in addition to acquiring new abilities and skills, in addition to continuing social communication for children with their peers.
Regarding the role of the school with regard to children who suffer from chronic diseases and seasonal allergies, Al Zaabi stated that the medical and nursing staff provided by the schools must be aware of the medical history of each student, which allows them to know the treatment plans followed by children with seasonal diseases, such as asthma. Which requires close monitoring of the health condition and early appropriate treatment, in addition to following a pre-prepared emergency plan when needed.
School nursing staff should also give importance to food allergy diseases, which require a pivotal role from the school in educating students and encouraging them to know the foods that cause them allergic attacks in order to avoid eating them, and in general to reduce foods and drinks that contain artificial colors.
Healthy meals are essential
Dr. Olfat Al-Zaabi recommended that families need to provide healthy meals by preparing foods rich in carbohydrates, protein, and healthy fats, which are available in bread, oats, rice, meat, and nuts, as children need a percentage ranging from 50 to 60% of carbohydrates, and no less than 20%. of proteins, in addition to the availability of fruits and vegetables in every meal, while encouraging children to practice physical activities.
She called on families to be careful with regard to added sugar, because of its severe damage to children’s health in the long term, and its role in increasing obesity, warning against consuming manufactured drinks that contain large amounts of sugars, such as juices, soft drinks, and others. She also warned against consuming saturated fats and hydrogenated oils, due to their low nutritional value and harmful effects on children’s health, noting the importance of drinking sufficient amounts of water daily.
Al-Zaabi pointed out the need to pay attention to school bags, which may constitute a health and physical burden on children, especially the young age groups, due to their heavy weight and damage to the children’s spine, calling for leaving some books in the school, especially if the students are doing their daily homework during the school day. She also advised parents to direct their children to carry the school bag on the shoulders to distribute the weight and not to load it on one shoulder, with the need to choose bags that do not cause damage to the back.
2023-08-30 21:06:29
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