Childhood Obesity Prevention Program at myPediaClinic Dubai: Comprehensive Guide

Childhood obesity has reached alarming levels in the UAE, with approximately 40% of school-age children classified as overweight or obese. This isn’t just a cosmetic concern—it’s a serious health crisis that’s leading to conditions once seen only in adults appearing in young children: type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol, hypertension, and even heart disease. At myPediaClinic in Dubai Healthcare City (voted the best pediatric clinic in Dubai), we’ve launched a comprehensive, first-of-its-kind obesity prevention program specifically designed to stop obesity before it starts.

This innovative program, developed by Dr. Medhat Abu-Shaaban and our nutritional team, takes a revolutionary approach: rather than treating obesity after it develops—when reversing it becomes extraordinarily difficult—we prevent it through strategic nutritional guidance at critical developmental stages. This guide explains childhood obesity, its serious consequences, and how our three-stage prevention program can protect your child’s long-term health.

Understanding Childhood Obesity: More Than Just “Baby Fat”

What is Obesity?

Obesity occurs when a person—child or adult—has excess body fat at levels that pose health risks. Unlike adults, where obesity is classified using Body Mass Index (BMI) calculations based on weight and height, childhood obesity assessment is more complex.

How Childhood Obesity is Measured:

• BMI-for-Age Percentiles: Takes weight, height, age, and sex into account
• Growth Charts: Plots child’s measurements against standardized curves
• Classifications:
  • Underweight: Below 5th percentile
  • Healthy Weight: 5th to 85th percentile
  • Overweight: 85th to 95th percentile
  • Obese: 95th percentile and above
  • Severely Obese: 120% of 95th percentile or BMI ≥35
• Body Composition Analysis: InBody machines provide detailed assessment of fat vs. muscle mass

Why Many Cases Go Undiagnosed

Despite high prevalence, many overweight and obese children are never identified because:

• Healthcare providers don’t calculate BMI-for-age at every visit
• Doctors hesitate to discuss weight concerns with parents
• Providers only check “weight-for-age” (which doesn’t account for height) rather than proper BMI percentiles
• Cultural attitudes normalize higher weight in children
• Parents believe children will “grow out of it” without intervention

If you’re uncertain about your child’s weight classification, contact myPediaClinic with your child’s current weight, height, age, and birth date. Our team will provide a professional assessment and classification.

The Dangerous Myth: “They’ll Grow Out of It”

Perhaps the most harmful misconception about childhood obesity is that children will naturally slim down as they grow taller. Unfortunately, research and clinical experience paint a very different picture.

The Reality of Childhood Obesity Trajectory

• Overweight children usually become overweight teenagers: Approximately 70-80% of obese adolescents become obese adults
• Obesity tends to worsen over time: Rather than “growing out of it,” children typically gain additional weight
• The earlier obesity begins, the more severe it becomes: Children who are obese before age 5 are more likely to be severely obese as adults
• Obesity tracks through generations: Obese children often become obese parents, whose children are also likely to be obese—creating a dangerous intergenerational cycle

How the Cycle Begins and Perpetuates

Childhood obesity typically follows this progression:

1. Infancy: Overfeeding with formula or excessive bottle feeding establishes large appetite and stomach capacity
2. Toddler Years: Introduction of inappropriate foods, excessive portions, and poor food attitudes
3. Childhood: Established eating patterns, normalized overconsumption, limited physical activity
4. Adolescence: Weight concerns, poor body image, yo-yo dieting, further weight gain
5. Adulthood: Obesity with metabolic complications, struggles with weight throughout life
6. Next Generation: Obese adults’ children face higher obesity risk, repeating the cycle

Breaking this cycle requires intervention at the earliest possible stages—ideally before obesity even develops.

Serious Health Consequences of Childhood Obesity

Childhood obesity is not merely a cosmetic issue or something children will outgrow. It causes real, immediate, and long-term health problems that fundamentally alter children’s quality of life and longevity.

Type 2 Diabetes in Children

Once called “adult-onset diabetes,” type 2 diabetes is now increasingly diagnosed in children as young as 8-10 years old—entirely due to obesity. Imagine: an eight-year-old requiring daily blood sugar monitoring, medication management, and lifestyle restrictions for a largely preventable disease.

Consequences:

• Lifelong disease management starting in childhood
• Risk of kidney failure requiring dialysis
• Vision problems and potential blindness
• Nerve damage and circulation problems
• Cardiovascular complications
• Reduced quality of life and life expectancy

Type 2 diabetes is spreading through Middle Eastern countries “as if it were an infectious disease,” yet it’s largely preventable through proper nutrition and healthy weight maintenance.

High Cholesterol and Cardiovascular Disease

Obese children develop high cholesterol and begin experiencing atherosclerosis (hardening of arteries) that sets the stage for heart attacks and strokes decades later—or even in late childhood and adolescence.

The Alarming Reality:

• We’re now seeing heart disease indicators in children
• Conditions once appearing at ages 50-60 now manifesting in childhood
• Fatty liver disease (non-alcoholic) occurring in obese children
• Early cardiovascular damage that’s difficult to reverse

Hypertension (High Blood Pressure)

High blood pressure is no longer limited to adults. Obese children increasingly develop hypertension, which damages blood vessels, heart, kidneys, and brain over time.

Orthopedic Problems

Excess weight strains growing bones and joints:

• Hip and knee pain
• Slipped capital femoral epiphysis (hip problem)
• Blount’s disease (bowing of legs)
• Flat feet and foot pain
• Early arthritis

Sleep Apnea

Obese children often develop obstructive sleep apnea, where breathing repeatedly stops during sleep. This leads to:

• Poor sleep quality and daytime fatigue
• Concentration problems and reduced academic performance
• Behavioral issues
• Cardiovascular strain

Psychological and Social Consequences

Beyond physical health, obesity profoundly affects children’s emotional well-being:

• Low self-esteem and poor body image
• Depression and anxiety
• Bullying and social isolation
• Reduced quality of life
• Eating disorders
• Reduced participation in activities and sports

Early Puberty

Obesity is associated with earlier onset of puberty, particularly in girls, which brings its own set of physical and psychological challenges.

The Bottom Line

One out of every two children in the UAE is at risk of developing diseases that require lifelong medication, reduce quality of life, and shorten lifespan—diseases that are largely preventable through proper nutrition.

Why Traditional Obesity Treatment Often Fails

Once obesity is established, treatment becomes extraordinarily difficult. Understanding why helps explain our prevention-focused approach.

The Restrictive Diet Approach

Traditional treatment puts children on restrictive diets eliminating “unhealthy” foods and replacing them with “healthy” foods. The problems:

• Children become upset and feel deprived
• They haven’t learned to like the “healthy” foods being introduced
• Restricted foods become even more desirable
• Diets feel like punishment rather than positive change
• Children often can’t sustain the changes
• Leads to yo-yo dieting and eventual abandonment of efforts
• Can trigger disordered eating patterns

The Exercise-Only Approach

Telling obese children to “work out more” without addressing nutrition is insufficient because:

• You can’t out-exercise a poor diet
• Obese children often struggle with physical activity due to excess weight
• Exercise alone rarely produces significant weight loss without dietary changes
• Children become discouraged when results don’t match efforts

Bariatric Surgery: A Last Resort Now Becoming Common

Disturbingly, bariatric surgery (stomach reduction surgery) is now performed on teenagers with severe obesity. While sometimes medically necessary, it represents a drastic intervention for what’s largely a preventable condition.

The reality is stark: Trying to reverse obesity after it develops is far more difficult than preventing it in the first place.

The myPediaClinic Obesity Prevention Program: Three Critical Stages

Our innovative program focuses on prevention through strategic nutritional guidance at three critical developmental stages. Rather than treating obesity after it develops, we establish healthy eating patterns, appropriate portions, and positive food attitudes from the very beginning.

Stage 1: From Pregnancy Through 6 Months (The Foundation)

Obesity prevention begins before birth. Emerging research in epigenetics reveals that maternal nutrition during pregnancy influences the baby’s future food preferences, metabolism, and obesity risk.

Pregnancy Nutrition Focus:

• Proper weight gain during pregnancy (not excessive)
• Balanced, nutrient-dense diet for mother
• Understanding how maternal nutrition affects fetal development
• Avoiding excessive weight gain that increases baby’s obesity risk
• Managing gestational diabetes if present
• Education about breastfeeding benefits for obesity prevention

Birth to 6 Months: Exclusive Breastfeeding

One of the single most protective factors against obesity is exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months of life. Our program supports mothers in achieving this goal.

Why Breastfeeding Prevents Obesity:

• Breast milk composition optimizes infant metabolism
• Breastfed babies self-regulate intake better than formula-fed babies
• Reduces risk of excessive weight gain in infancy
• Decreases obesity risk by 15-30% compared to formula feeding
• Protective effect persists into childhood and adulthood

The Overfeeding Problem:

Many obesity patterns begin in infancy through:

• Overfeeding with formula (bottles make it easy to overfeed)
• Feeding on schedule rather than on demand
• Pushing babies to finish bottles
• Starting solids too early
• Using food as primary comfort tool

Stage 1 of our program teaches parents:

• Successful breastfeeding establishment and maintenance
• Appropriate formula feeding if breastfeeding isn’t possible (amounts, frequency, responsive feeding)
• How to recognize and respond to hunger cues vs. other needs
• Why delaying solids until around 6 months matters
• Self-regulation principles that prevent overfeeding

Stage 1 sets the foundation for a lifetime of healthy eating by establishing appropriate appetite regulation from the very beginning.

Stage 2: From First Foods to 3 Years (The Critical Window)

Stage 2 is extraordinarily important—it establishes eating patterns, food preferences, and attitudes that will persist throughout life. It’s during this period that children either develop healthy relationships with food or problematic patterns that lead to obesity.

Why Ages 6 Months to 3 Years is Critical:

• Food preferences are established during this window
• Eating patterns and portion sizes become normalized
• Attitudes toward food are formed
• Picky eating develops (or is prevented)
• Micronutrient deficiencies can cause stunting (short stature) that’s irreversible after age 2
• Rapid growth requires proper nutrition
• Self-regulation abilities are developing

Common Mistakes During This Stage:

• Introducing processed foods, sweets, and junk food too early
• Using food as rewards or punishments
• Pressuring children to eat or clean their plates
• Serving portions that are too large
• Not offering sufficient variety of healthy foods
• Giving in to demands for only preferred foods
• Using food as primary comfort or entertainment
• Allowing constant snacking or grazing
• Serving fruit juice and sweetened beverages regularly

What Stage 2 Nutrition Counseling Covers:

Food Selection:

• What foods to introduce and when
• Creating balanced, varied meals
• Appropriate introduction of family foods
• Limiting processed foods, added sugars, and excessive salt
• Building foundation of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, lean proteins

Portion Sizes:

• Age-appropriate serving sizes (often much smaller than parents think)
• Recognizing and responding to fullness cues
• Not pressuring children to eat more than they want
• Understanding that toddlers’ appetites vary day to day

Food Attitudes and Feeding Practices:

• Division of responsibility: Parents decide what, when, and where food is offered; child decides whether and how much to eat
• Neutral presentation of all foods without labeling “good” or “bad”
• Avoiding food as rewards or punishments
• Creating positive mealtime environments
• Family meals without distractions (no screens)
• Modeling healthy eating behaviors

Label Reading and Food Selection:

• Understanding nutrition labels
• Identifying hidden sugars, excessive salt, unhealthy fats
• Choosing best options when shopping in Dubai’s diverse supermarket environment
• Navigating marketing claims (“natural,” “organic,” “healthy”)

Meal Planning:

• Weekly meal plans tailored to your family
• Practical recipes and meal ideas
• Strategies for busy families
• Incorporating cultural foods healthfully

Preventing and Managing Picky Eating:

• Repeated exposure strategies (may take 10-15 tries before acceptance)
• Maintaining variety even when child resists
• Avoiding short-order cooking
• Balancing offering new foods with ensuring adequate nutrition

Stage 2 is when obesity is most easily prevented. Establishing healthy patterns during this window creates a foundation resistant to obesity throughout life.

Stage 3: Ages 3 Years Through Teenage Years (Active Participation)

By age 3, children have developed food preferences and eating patterns. Stage 3 focuses on assessment, education, and empowering children to make healthy choices themselves with parental support.

Comprehensive Assessment:

Dietary Intake Assessment:

• Detailed review of what and how much child typically eats
• Identification of problematic patterns (excessive snacking, sugary beverages, inadequate vegetables)
• Understanding family food environment and habits

Body Composition Analysis Using InBody Technology:

MyPediaClinic uses advanced InBody machines specifically designed for children. This technology provides far more information than simple weight measurement:

• Body Fat Percentage: How much of the child’s weight is fat vs. muscle
• Muscle Mass: Whether muscle development is appropriate
• Body Water: Hydration status
• Segmental Analysis: Body composition in different body areas
• Overall Grade: Easy-to-understand score out of 100
• Child-Friendly Format: Results are presented in ways children can understand and track

Why InBody Analysis Matters:

• Two children can weigh the same but have vastly different body composition
• Muscle weighs more than fat—some heavier children are actually quite healthy
• Body composition predicts health outcomes better than weight alone
• Children can see objective measures of their progress
• Motivating for children to improve their grade/score

Counseling Children Directly:

Unlike earlier stages where counseling focuses primarily on parents, Stage 3 includes age-appropriate direct counseling with children:

• Explaining what foods do in their bodies in ways they understand
• Teaching them to make healthy choices independently
• Discussing their InBody results and what they mean
• Setting achievable goals together
• Problem-solving challenges (peer pressure, school lunches, social situations)
• Building intrinsic motivation rather than relying on parental control
• Empowering children to advocate for their health

Parental Involvement and Support:

Parents remain crucial but shift from complete control to supportive role:

• Maintaining healthy food environment at home
• Modeling healthy eating behaviors
• Supporting rather than policing children’s choices
• Avoiding becoming “food police”
• Encouraging physical activity
• Creating family health goals

Follow-Up and Monitoring:

• Regular InBody assessments to track progress
• Adjusting plans based on growth and development
• Addressing challenges as they arise
• Celebrating successes and improvements
• Long-term support through childhood and adolescence

Stage 3 transforms healthy eating from something imposed by parents to choices children make themselves, creating independence and lifelong healthy habits.

Why Prevention is Superior to Treatment

Our three-stage prevention program offers profound advantages over traditional obesity treatment:

Establishes Healthy Patterns from the Start

• Children never develop problematic eating patterns that need to be “unlearned”
• Healthy foods are normal, not punishments
• Appropriate portions are established expectations
• Positive food attitudes prevent psychological issues

Avoids Physical and Psychological Harm of Obesity

• Children never experience bullying or social isolation due to weight
• They don’t develop diabetes, high cholesterol, or other complications
• No struggles with restrictive diets and weight cycling
• Healthy self-esteem and body image

Easier for Families

• Guiding healthy development is easier than reversing established obesity
• No family conflicts over diet restrictions
• Entire family benefits from healthy patterns
• Less expensive than treating obesity and related conditions

Creates Lifelong Protection

• Children develop skills and attitudes that protect them throughout life
• Reduces risk of adult obesity and metabolic diseases
• Likely to raise their own children with healthy patterns, breaking intergenerational cycle

Who Should Participate in Our Prevention Program?

Pregnant Women

• All pregnant women benefit from Stage 1 guidance
• Particularly important if mother has obesity, gestational diabetes, or family history of obesity
• Sets foundation for baby’s future health

Parents of Infants (Birth to 6 Months)

• New parents learning about breastfeeding and infant feeding
• Parents who want to ensure proper feeding practices
• Those struggling with breastfeeding who need support
• Parents using formula who want guidance on responsive feeding

Parents of Babies and Toddlers (6 Months to 3 Years)

• Essential for all families: This is the most critical window
• Parents introducing first foods
• Families struggling with picky eating
• Parents uncertain about appropriate foods and portions
• Those who want to establish healthy eating patterns

Parents of Children (Ages 3-12)

• Children with concerning weight trajectories (overweight or at risk)
• Children who are already overweight or obese (early intervention is crucial)
• Children with poor eating habits or excessive junk food consumption
• Families with history of obesity wanting to prevent it in current generation
• Parents who want comprehensive nutrition education for their children

Parents of Teenagers

• Teenagers who are overweight or obese
• Teens with concerning eating patterns
• Athletes wanting to optimize nutrition for performance
• Teenagers who want to learn about healthy eating independently

What to Expect: Your Journey with myPediaClinic’s Prevention Program

Initial Consultation

• Comprehensive assessment of your child’s current status
• Discussion of family eating patterns and concerns
• Review of growth charts and weight trajectory
• InBody body composition analysis (for children age 3+)
• Development of personalized plan for your family
• Clear, actionable recommendations

Ongoing Support

• Regular follow-up appointments to monitor progress
• Adjustments to plans as children grow and needs change
• Problem-solving when challenges arise
• Continued education and guidance
• Access to our nutrition team for questions

Integration with Pediatric Care

• Coordination with Dr. Medhat Abu-Shaaban and our pediatric team
• Comprehensive approach addressing all aspects of child health
• Medical oversight if any health concerns emerge
• Seamless care within myPediaClinic

Comprehensive FAQ About Childhood Obesity Prevention

How do I know if my child is overweight or obese?

You cannot reliably determine this by appearance alone. Proper assessment requires plotting your child’s weight and height on growth charts to calculate BMI-for-age percentiles. Contact myPediaClinic with your child’s current weight, height, birth date, and age—our team will provide professional classification. During your visit, we can also perform InBody analysis for detailed body composition assessment beyond simple weight categorization.

My child looks healthy to me—why is the doctor saying they’re overweight?

Our perception of “normal” weight has shifted as obesity becomes more common. What looks normal now would have been considered overweight a few decades ago. Medical classification is based on standardized growth charts and health outcomes research, not subjective appearance. Trust the objective data—if your child’s BMI is in the overweight or obese range, this poses real health risks regardless of how they look to you.

Won’t restricting food cause my child to develop an eating disorder?

Our prevention program does NOT restrict food or put children on “diets”—that approach can indeed contribute to disordered eating. Instead, we focus on establishing healthy patterns, appropriate portions, and positive attitudes toward all foods from the beginning. We teach balanced eating, not restriction. Children learn to self-regulate and make healthy choices without deprivation or forbidden foods. This approach prevents both obesity AND eating disorders.

My child is a picky eater—won’t that prevent obesity?

Not necessarily. Many picky eaters prefer high-calorie processed foods (chicken nuggets, pizza, pasta, bread, cookies) while refusing vegetables and other nutrient-dense foods. These children can become overweight despite limited food variety. Additionally, picky eating causes micronutrient deficiencies that affect development. Our Stage 2 program specifically addresses picky eating, helping expand variety while establishing healthy patterns.

Is it too late if my child is already overweight?

It’s never too late, but earlier intervention is easier and more effective. If your child is already overweight, they can still participate in our program. Stage 3 is specifically designed for older children who have already developed concerning patterns. While it’s more challenging than prevention, significant improvements are possible with comprehensive support. The key is starting now rather than waiting.

Can my baby be too fat? Aren’t chubby babies healthy?

Babies do naturally have higher body fat than older children, and some chubbiness is normal and healthy. However, excessive weight gain in infancy (indicated by crossing growth percentiles upward or BMI-for-age above 85th percentile) increases obesity risk later. Stage 1 of our program helps parents understand appropriate infant weight gain, establish responsive feeding practices, and support healthy growth without overfeeding.

Obesity runs in my family—is there anything I can do?

While genetics play a role, they’re not destiny. Obesity has a genetic component, but the dramatic increase in obesity over recent decades happened too quickly to be explained by genetics alone—it’s primarily environmental (what and how we eat, activity levels). Our program helps families break intergenerational obesity cycles by establishing healthy patterns regardless of genetic predisposition. Children with family history have higher risk, making prevention even more important.

Should I put my overweight child on a diet?

No. Traditional “diets” rarely work for children and can cause psychological harm, promote unhealthy relationships with food, and trigger eating disorders. Our approach focuses on healthy pattern establishment, family-wide healthy changes, appropriate portions, and balanced nutrition—not calorie restriction or forbidden foods. For growing children, the goal is often maintaining weight while they grow taller rather than weight loss. Our nutrition team creates individualized plans appropriate for your child’s age and situation.

How much exercise does my child need to prevent obesity?

Physical activity is important but can’t compensate for poor nutrition. Children should aim for at least 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity daily. However, nutrition is the primary driver of weight status. Our prevention program addresses both nutrition and activity, but emphasizes establishing healthy eating patterns as the foundation. A child can be very active but still become overweight if eating habits are problematic.

Are low-fat or “diet” foods better for children?

Not necessarily. Many low-fat products compensate with added sugars. Children need healthy fats for brain development and growth. Our program teaches focus on food quality rather than single nutrients: emphasize whole, minimally processed foods like vegetables, fruits, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats (olive oil, avocados, nuts) rather than processed “diet” products. Children should eat real food in appropriate portions, not specially formulated diet foods.

My child drinks juice every day—is that a problem?

Yes, excessive juice consumption contributes significantly to childhood obesity. Even 100% fruit juice contains as much sugar as soda, lacks the fiber of whole fruit, and doesn’t promote fullness the way solid food does. Current guidelines recommend limiting juice to 4 oz daily for toddlers, 4-6 oz for older children. Water and milk should be primary beverages. Our program helps families transition away from juice dependence and establish healthier beverage patterns.

What if my child refuses vegetables?

Vegetable refusal is extremely common but manageable. Research shows it can take 10-15 exposures to a new food before acceptance. Our Stage 2 counseling provides specific strategies: repeated exposure without pressure, pairing with liked foods, involving children in preparation, modeling vegetable eating, making them fun, and maintaining patience. Never force, but don’t give up—consistent, neutral offering eventually leads to acceptance for most children.

Should I eliminate all sweets and treats to prevent obesity?

No. Complete elimination makes these foods even more desirable and can lead to sneaking, bingeing, and unhealthy fixation. Our approach includes all foods in appropriate contexts: sweets and treats are occasional enjoyments, not everyday foods or rewards. We teach balance and moderation rather than restriction. When children learn that no foods are forbidden, they develop healthier relationships with all foods including treats.

My pediatrician hasn’t mentioned my child’s weight—should I be concerned?

Unfortunately, many healthcare providers don’t address weight concerns even when present. Don’t rely solely on whether your doctor mentions it. If you have any concerns about your child’s weight, eating habits, or growth trajectory, request a consultation at myPediaClinic regardless of what your pediatrician has said. We provide comprehensive assessment using proper BMI-for-age calculations and InBody analysis. It’s better to address concerns early even if they turn out to be unfounded.

How often should my child be weighed and measured?

Children should have height and weight measured at every well-child check-up (annually at minimum, more frequently for younger children). These measurements should be plotted on growth charts to track trajectories over time. Single measurements are less informative than trends. If your child is overweight or at risk, more frequent monitoring may be recommended. Our program includes regular growth tracking to catch concerning trends early.

Can childhood obesity affect my child’s future fertility or pregnancy?

Yes. Obesity in childhood and adolescence can lead to hormonal imbalances affecting reproductive health. In girls, obesity is associated with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), irregular periods, and future fertility challenges. Obesity during pregnancy (often rooted in childhood obesity) increases risks for both mother and baby. In boys, obesity can affect hormone levels and future fertility. Preventing obesity in childhood protects long-term reproductive health.

What if only one parent wants to make changes and the other undermines efforts?

Parental disagreement about nutrition is challenging. Ideally, both parents attend consultations at myPediaClinic so they receive the same education and understand the medical importance of changes. When healthcare providers explain the serious health consequences of childhood obesity, reluctant parents often become more motivated. Even if one parent remains unconvinced, the other can still implement many changes. We provide strategies for managing these family dynamics.

How does the Dubai food environment affect childhood obesity?

Dubai’s food environment presents both challenges and opportunities. Challenges include: easy access to high-calorie processed foods, large restaurant portions, cultural emphasis on generous hospitality with food, hot climate reducing outdoor activity, car-dependent lifestyle, and marketing of unhealthy foods to children. Opportunities include: excellent access to fresh produce, diverse healthy cuisine options, world-class healthcare like myPediaClinic, and increasing awareness of health issues. Our program helps families navigate Dubai’s food environment successfully.

Will my child be angry if I try to change their eating habits?

Resistance is common when changing established patterns, which is why prevention is easier than treatment. However, our approach minimizes resistance by: involving children in changes age-appropriately, making changes gradually rather than drastically, focusing on addition of healthy foods rather than just restriction, creating positive food environments, and counseling children directly so they understand and buy into changes. When implemented correctly, most children adjust well, especially when entire family participates.

How long does the prevention program take?

This isn’t a short-term “program” with an endpoint—it’s establishing lifelong healthy patterns. Initial intensive counseling typically involves several appointments over a few months, with the exact timeline depending on your child’s stage and needs. After establishing healthy patterns, less frequent check-ins maintain progress and adjust as children grow. Think of it as an investment in your child’s lifelong health rather than a temporary intervention with a finish line.

Take Action Today: Protect Your Child’s Future Health

Childhood obesity is a serious, growing health crisis affecting 40% of UAE children—but it’s largely preventable. Whether you’re pregnant and want to give your baby the healthiest start, have a young child and want to establish healthy patterns now, or are concerned about an older child’s weight or eating habits, myPediaClinic’s comprehensive prevention program can help.

The earlier you start, the easier and more effective the intervention—but it’s never too late to make positive changes. Every family’s situation is unique, and our experienced team led by Dr. Medhat Abu-Shaaban provides personalized guidance tailored to your child’s specific age, needs, and circumstances.

Don’t wait until obesity and its complications have developed. Prevention is always easier than treatment. By acting now, you can ensure your child has a strong nutritional foundation resistant to obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease—giving them the healthy, active, confident future they deserve.

Contact myPediaClinic in Dubai Healthcare City today at 04 430 5926 to schedule your consultation. Whether you’re in Stage 1 (pregnancy or infant feeding), Stage 2 (introducing solids to age 3), or Stage 3 (older children and teenagers), we’re here to support your family with expert guidance, advanced assessment tools like InBody analysis, and comprehensive care from the best pediatric clinic in Dubai.

Your child’s future health depends on the choices you make today. Let myPediaClinic partner with you in building a foundation for lifelong health and wellness.