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More than 700 people at Queen Elizabeth Stadium today (January 8) pledged to support the EatSmart@school.hk campaign organised by the Department of Health to promote healthy eating among schoolchildren.
The participants of this "Alliance Building Ceremony" were mostly teachers, parents, primary school students, food traders, representatives of non-government organisations and professional bodies. They watched a drama and also had a chance to take part in a mass game on healthy food and a quiz on "My Favourite Healthy Food".
Officiating at today's ceremony were Secretary for Health, Welfare and Food, Dr York Chow, the Acting Director of Health, Dr P Y Leung, and the Principal Assistant Secretary (Curriculum Development) of the Education and Manpower Bureau, Dr Catherine K K Chan.
The "EatSmart@school.hk" campaign is one of the major government initiatives to tackle the public health problem of childhood obesity. The campaign is launched at all primary schools in Hong Kong in the 2006-07 school-year with the support of the relevant stakeholders and concerned partners in the community.
According to the statistics of the Department of Health, the obesity rate of primary school students has increased from 16.4% in 1997-98 school-year to 19.4% in 2005-06 school-year. What this means is that currently one out of every five primary school children is obese.
There is an association between childhood obesity and children's dietary habits. Another large-scale survey conducted by the department at 44 primary schools early last year also indicated that primary school students knew what healthy foods in general were but they seldom made the healthy choice.
The popular lunch boxes welcomed by primary school students were of low value in nutrition. About 60% of the lunch boxes contained unhealthy food items or had insufficient vegetable content. About 90% of snacks and drinks sold at tuck shops and vending machines were unhealthy. Similarly, around 90% of snacks and drinks which students brought from home, were also unhealthy.
The co-operation of schools and related sectors are of paramount importance to the success of the campaign. School principals, teachers and parents, and food traders including lunch box suppliers and tuck shop operators, play a crucial role in effectively promoting a healthy eating culture among schoolchildren.
School personnel can take the lead in formulating and promoting healthy eating policies and build an environment supportive to healthy eating. They should co-operate with parents to set up a surveillance system to monitor the nutritional value of school lunches and snacks and teach students how to choose healthy food items.
Being role-models, parents also have an important role to play. They can equip their children with basic knowledge on healthy eating, teach them about healthy eating habits and how to make wise and healthier choices. They should also work with schools, teachers and food traders, to create a healthy eating environment in schools.
As responsible corporate citizens, food traders need to ensure the nutritional values of the foods provided and should work together with schools and parents in formulating promotional strategies that encourage students to take healthy food.
People and all organisations could render their support by fostering the healthy eating culture in the community.
To promote healthy eating among primary school students, the Department of Health has been organising a range of promotional activities during the past few months. These efforts include:
* Production of the "Nutritional Guidelines on School Lunch for Primary School Students", "Nutritional Guidelines on Snacks for Primary School Students" and "Guidebook for School Lunch Suppliers", as an important reference for nutritional requirement of primary school students.
* Implementation of the "School 'NutriAgent' Project" in 146 primary schools by providing support and training to teachers and parents to equip them with the knowledge and confidence in formulating healthy eating policies and implementation of healthy eating activities at schools. They will also monitor the eating environment within schools with a view to nurturing a healthy eating habit among students.
* Production of a series of educational materials including a thematic website, interactive games, educational kits, educational videos and other health educational materials such as posters and pamphlets.
* Broadcasting of television and radio promotional clips on healthy snacks and lunches.
* Organisation of more than 25 seminars for various concerned parties.
* Arrangement of more than 60 mass media interviews with six press conferences.
* The launching of a series of school-based activities, including Inter-School Slogan and E-Card Design Competitions and Popular Lunch Box Election, to further promote healthy eating in schools.
More information on the "EatSmart@school.hk" Campaign is available at the thematic website (http://www.eatsmart.gov.hk).
Ends/Monday, January 8, 2007
Issued at HKT 14:50
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