Sharing of Experience
Healthy Eating at School - California Exchange Tour 2005
Peter LEE, Nursing Officer (Health Promotion), Central Health Education Unit
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Attention: |
Cancer and diseases of heart have become the top two leading causes of death! |
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Beware: |
The threat of obesity to the health of children in Hong Kong is on the rise. At present, almost one in five school children is obese! |
At first glance, there seems to be no correlation between these two issues ”V How can children be related to cancer and chronic diseases? People have the impression that these two diseases usually affect adults and the elderly. Thus parents can hardly figure out the correlation that ignoring the obesity problem of their children while they are young will have profound influence on their future health. In Hong Kong, with the development of social security, improvement of the quality of life, sufficient supply of food and decrease in the number of children over the past decades, parents do not mind spending more on their children. With regard to diet, we can say that imbalance rather than insufficiency is the root of trouble. Children take in far more than they need. If this is not rectified promptly, the unhealthy eating habit developed since childhood will absolutely be hard to deal with when they reach adulthood.
In this light, the Department of Health plans to launch a healthy eating campaign in primary schools to help students prevent chronic diseases like obesity, heart disease, cancer and diabetes. I am one of the active members of the health promotion team working towards the cultivation of healthy eating practices at school. It was a great honour for me to be a delegate to California, United States in September 2005 to observe and learn the overseas experience of promoting healthy eating at school. Such experience has enriched my vision and broadened my horizons. Apart from gaining a deeper understanding of this health issue, it provided me with a blueprint for successful health promotion. The California Exchange Tour also gave me an extraordinary opportunity for sharing of experience and establishing a strong networking with representatives of universities, school principals, teachers, parents and school lunch caterers who have enthusiasm and aspirations in child health education. The network for future communication was built through mutual exchange and sharing of the concerns, difficulties and opinions with one another so that I can formulate the long term objectives of health promotion after returning home.
In Hong Kong, it is envisaged that to promote healthy eating habits among school children is no easy task. It is known that sole participation by public health service providers is not sufficient. Pitching in by related parties including principals, teachers, students, parents, food suppliers and policy makers is of particularly importance. I strongly believe that joint partnership and close collaboration is the crux to make it works. The shared vision & joint effort can enhance parents and students”¦ knowledge and belief to pursue healthy eating habits. It is hope that changes in health behaviour and sustaining their momentum will surely bring about its perseverance throughout the growth stages of our students”¦ life.
Hand in hand, we shape a healthier young generation!
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