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Calendar cards for parents promote healthy eating for primary students (with photo)
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    The Department of Health has produced 500,000 healthy eating calendar cards and will distribute them to parents of primary school students to remind them of the importance of healthy eating.

     The Assistant Director (Health Promotion), Dr Regina Ching, said, "The calendar cards for 2007 are depicted with healthy eating tips and messages, such as parents' choice of "3 Lows, 1 High" healthy snacks and "3:2:1" for a healthy lunch, important for their children's future.

     She explained that "3 Lows, 1 High" healthy snacks referred to snacks with low-salt, low-sugar, low-fat and high-fibre content while "3:2:1" was the desirable ratio of grains and cereals, vegetables and meat for lunch.

     "These cards will be distributed to the students through their schools so that they can present them to their parents as Christmas gifts," she said.

      The move is part of the EatSmart@school.hk campaign, which was mounted in response to the rising trend of childhood obesity. Now, one in five primary school children is obese.

     "We hope the calendar cards will help remind parents throughout the year of the importance of nurturing healthy eating habits in their children," Dr Ching said.

     Each calendar card can be split into two ¡V one for father and one for mother. The card can also be given to whomever is taking care of the child. Spaces have been reserved for the photograph and signature of the student.

     Dr Ching said the department had written to all local primary schools inviting the principals to help distribute the calendar cards to students. Copies will be delivered to schools before the Christmas holidays.

     For more information about healthy eating, members of the public may call the health education hotline 2833 0111 or visit the website of the "EatSmart@school.hk" campaign at http://www.eatsmart.gov.hk.

Ends/Wednesday, December 13, 2006
Issued at HKT 17:47

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