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The EatSmart School Accreditation Scheme (ESAS), jointly organised by the Department of Health (DH) and the Education Bureau (EDB), continues to receive widespread support from the education sector. The numbers of both the participating schools and those achieving accreditation have been on the rise.
The Controller of the Centre for Health Protection of the DH, Dr Leung Ting-hung, said at the Healthy Eating Forum cum EatSmart School Accreditation Ceremony 2014 today (June 30) that a total of 226 primary schools, accounting for over one-third of all primary schools in Hong Kong, had enrolled in the ESAS and 103 of them had attained accreditation, representing over 45 per cent of those enrolled. Of all the accredited schools, 75 have achieved the highest honour of EatSmart School.
"I would like to express my heartfelt thanks for the effort by the principals, teachers and parents, as well as the co-operation of food suppliers, to make the campus a nutrition-friendly place for building up a healthy eating habit. I would also like to express my gratitude to the EDB for the continuous support to make the EatSmart@school.hk a remarkable campaign with support from all parts of the community," Dr Leung remarked.
Dr Leung said that there had been a decreasing trend in the obesity rate among primary students in recent years. The achievement was a result of the concerted efforts of schools, parents and students, as well as the support of various stakeholders in the community. However, almost one in five primary children is still obese or overweight. The problem is pressing and we must keep on promoting healthy eating.
According to the accreditation criteria of the ESAS, participating schools have to demonstrate commitment in continuously implementing administrative measures, providing healthy lunches and snacks, and organising educational programmes and publicity events to safeguard a nutrition-friendly school environment for children. Hence, all accredited schools are exemplars of the education sector.
Also officiating at the ceremony, the Deputy Secretary for Education, Dr Catherine K K Chan, said that since the Education Reform, "Developing a Healthy Lifestyle" had been one of the overarching goals of the school curriculum and the concern about balance between student learning and their wholesome health had been reiterated in the updated part for Primary One to Six of the Basic Education Curriculum Guide, which was announced in mid-June by the Curriculum Development Council. Schools in general have been supportive of the "Healthy-school" Policy and are recommended to build on their existing strengths to strengthen the relevant educational elements and assist students to establish a healthy and balanced lifestyle through learning experiences so as to lay a solid foundation for students' lifelong learning in future.
This year, the Healthy Eating Forum was held concurrently with the Ceremony for the first time. The topic of the Forum was "Healthy Dishes: Being Attractive and Delicious!". The dietitian of the Hong Kong Nutrition Association, Ms Sally Poon, shared her views at the Forum on how to make healthy food tasty, attractive and fun.
More information on the ESAS is available at the DH's thematic website of the EatSmart@school.hk Campaign (school.eatsmart.gov.hk).
Ends/Monday, June 30, 2014
Issued at HKT 16:30
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