Qatar National Nutrition and Physical Activity Action Plan

This National Nutrition and Physical Activity Action Plan is a nationwide sectoral document aiming at reducing morbidity and mortality attributable to chronic non-communicable diseases (such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and certain types of cancer) in the State of Qatar by adopting preventive healthcare. The Plan is in line with the goal of the National Health Strategy part 3.2 related to preventive healthcare and its objective of a comprehensive nutrition and physical activity program with an impact on the prevalence of obesity. The main objectives of the Action Plan are (i) reducing the diet and inactivity-related risk factors of chronic non-communicable diseases (NCDs); (ii) increasing the overall public awareness on the positive health effects of eating a healthy diet and engaging in regular physical activity; (iii) developing culturally sensitive and sustainable policies and legislations aimed at promoting food diversity, healthy eating habits and increasing physical activity in the population; (iv) stimulating the practice of regular physical activity in the population, with special emphasis on schools, workplaces, and communities; (v) facilitating the collaboration with the private sector to promote import, production, and distribution of food products which contribute to a healthier and more balanced diet; (vi) strengthening the capacity of human resources involved in the implementation of the Action Plan; (vii) monitoring scientific data related to diet and physical activity concerning NCDs.
The Action Plan is meant to be implemented, upon approval, through 8 action areas covering the main important themes. These action areas are (1) National policies and legislation; (2) National coordination mechanism; (3) National nutrition programs; (4) National physical activity programs; (5) Promotion and advocacy; (6) Surveillance, monitoring, and evaluation; (7) Capacity building; (8) Partnership with academic institutions and the private sector. For the implementation of the objectives, the Plan envisages three possible period-time (1) a short-term of 6-12 months; (2) a mid-term of 1-3 years; and (3) a long-term of 3-5 years.