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The Department of Health (DH) today (May 6) held a summit to provide primary schools principals with a platform to discuss the strategy for promoting healthy eating among students.
The summit was an event under the EatSmart@school.hk campaign.
The Assistant Director of Health (Health Promotion), Dr Regina Ching, warmly welcomed participants at the summit and thanked them for their positive response to promote healthy eating.
About 305 participants from 266 schools participated in the event, including 168 primary school principals.
In reviewing the progress of EatSmart@school.hk campaign during the 2007-08 school year, Dr Ching acknowledged the active support and facilitation given by schools. She added that changing an established eating culture was not easy.
"Principals are decision-makers of school policies and programmes. They play an important role in promoting healthy eating. The Department of Health encourages schools to show their commitment and pledge to create a healthy eating culture and environment in schools by establishing corresponding policies, as well as formulating their directions, actions and working principles," she said.
To increase the effectiveness of learning, Dr Ching appealed to schools to incorporate healthy eating message in both curriculum and extra-curricular activities.
In the summit, the Education Bureau's Chief Curriculum Development Officer (Life-wide learning and Library), Mr Yip Yam-wing, gave recommendations on how to incorporate healthy eating in curriculum development.
Principal of Chan's Creative School, Ms Mok Fung-yee, shared her experience in effectively promoting healthy eating policies in schools.
Principal of Shak Chung Shan Memorial Catholic Primary School, Mr Ip Sing-piu, gave an account of practical experience in engaging parents to tackle barriers to promoting healthy eating.
The Honorary Adviser of the Committee on Home School Co-operation, Mr Chris Yu, briefed participants on the measures adopted by the committee to promote healthy eating in schools.
Taking into the account that parents and children's choices might be affected by marketing tactics adopted by food suppliers, the department also invited the Assistant Professor of the School of Journalism and Communication of the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Dr Annisa Lee, to elaborate on the influence of food marketing on children and suggest measures to tackle that influence.
To further support schools and strengthen their promotion of healthy eating, the Department of Health will continue to organise EatSmart@school.hk campaign in the 2008-09 school year.
By implementing "NutriAgent" Project in schools, the department will help teachers and parents build their confidence and competence in formulating policies and programmes.
The project, which has been running for two years, is warmly received by schools and parents. The next round of training will be organised from July. Interested schools are welcomed to enrol from June. For enquiries, please call departmentˇ¦s Central Health Education Unit at 2835 1823.
More information on "EatSmart@school.hk" campaign is available at the department's website http://school.eatsmart.gov.hk.
Ends/Tuesday, May 6, 2008
Issued at HKT 17:01
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