Arab Journal of Nutrition and Exercise

ISSN: 2518-6590

Groundbreaking research on nutrition, physical activity, and public health from across the Arab world.

Trends of Breastfeeding in the United Arab Emirates (UAE)

Published date: Dec 28 2017

Journal Title: Arab Journal of Nutrition and Exercise

Issue title: AJNE: Vol 2, No 3 (2017)

Pages: 152-159

DOI: 10.18502/ajne.v2i3.1356

Authors:

Zainab Tahazainab.taha@zu.ac.aeCollege of Natural and Health Sciences, Zayed University, Abu Dhabi, U.A.E

Abstract:

In 1990, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) declared a “global goal” for protection, promotion and support of breastfeeding (Innocenti Declaration) (WHO/UNICEF 1990). In 1991 health care authorities in the UAE started to implement breastfeeding promotion and support programs across the country. To date, there are ongoing national efforts and investments in these programs including development and update of policies and strategies.

This mini review evaluates the trends of infant and child feeding practices in the UAE over the last few decades to assess the progress attributed to the rollout and implementation of breastfeeding promotion programs.

Keywords: Breastfeeding, United Arab Emirates, Nutrition.

References:

[1] Al Ghazal H, Rashid S, Ruf E. The Sharjah Baby-Friendly Campaign: A CommunityBased Model for Breastfeeding Promotion, Protection, and Support. 2015; 10(9):437-441. https://doi.org/10.1089/bfm.2015.0095

[2] Al-Mazroui MJ, Oyejide CO, Bener A, Cheema MY. Breastfeeding and supplemental feeding for neonates in Al-Ain, United Arab Emirates; Journal of Tropical Pediatrics 1997; 43(5):304-306

[3] Al Tajir, G.K.; Sulieman, H.; Badrinath, P. Intragroup differences in risk factors for breastfeeding outcomes in a multicultural community. J Hum Lact 2006; 22:39-47

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[5] Autret M, Miladi S. Report on the state of food and nutrition in the United Arab Emirates. Part II. UNICEF; 1979

[6] Donath S, Amir LH. Rates of breastfeeding in Australia by State and socio-economic status: Evidence from the 1995 National Health Survey. J Paediatr Child Health 2000; 36:164-168.

[7] Fikri M, Farid S. United Arab Emirates Family Health Survey; United Arab Emirates Ministry of Health: Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, 2000.

[8] Gardner H, Green K, Gardner A. Infant Feeding Practices of Emirati Women in the Rapidly Developing City of Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2015; 12:10923-10940.

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[12] Innocenti Declaration on the Protection, Promotion and Support of Breastfeeding. Florence, Italy, WHO/UNICEF (Spedale degli Innocenti), 1990.

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[15] Ministry of Health UAE: The National Child Health survey, UAE Ministry of Health. UAE, 1988.

[16] National Family Health Survey, Ministry of Health.1995.

[17] National Nutrition Survey: UAE Ministry of Health. UAE, 1992.

[18] Osman NA, El-Sabban FF. Infant feeding practices in Al-Ain, United Arab Emirates. East Mediterr. Health J 1999; 5:103-110.

[19] Salem O. FNC passes mandatory breastfeeding clause for Child Rights law. In The National; Abu Dhabi Media: Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, 2014.

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[21] Quigley MA, Kelly YJ, Sacker A. Breastfeeding and hospitalization for diarrheal and respiratory infection in the United Kingdom Millennium cohort study. Pediatrics 2007; 119:e837-e842.

[22] UNICEF, WHO. Breastfeeding Advocacy Initiative: For the Best Start in Life. Advocacy Strategy. 2015.

[23] World Health Organization (WHO): Indicators for assessing infant and young child feeding practices Part 1 Definitions. Geneva: WHO, 2008.

[24] WHO: Global Strategy for Infant and Young Child Feeding. Geneva: WHO, 2003.

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