Obesity poses a growing threat to the health of children in Hong Kong as almost one in five primary school kids is overweight, the Department of Health says, adding the prevalence of obesity among local primary school students rose from 16.4% in 1997/98 to 18.7% in 2004/05,

To help children develop a healthy diet and prevent long-term health problems such as obesity, heart disease, cancer and diabetes, a territory-wide healthy eating campaign for primary school students will be launched in the coming school year.

Entitled "EatSmart@school.hk" the campaign will be launched in the 2006-07 school year by the Department of Health in collaboration with partners from various sectors.  

To pave the way for the campaign, a series of publicity activities will be conducted, starting this month.

They will include the introduction and promotion of the "Nutritional Guidelines on School Lunch for primary school students" to guide caterers to provide balanced diets to the 300,000 students in some 600 whole-day primary schools.

Assistant Director of Health Dr Regina Ching said the campaign would promote healthy lunches and snacks at schools and cultivate healthy eating practices among children.

"The success of the campaign will enable students to develop in a healthy way and learn effectively," Dr Ching said.

She said the nutrition guidelines had been disseminated to all targeted users including principals of primary schools and food traders involved in lunch catering services for primary schools.

"Equally important for the guidelines to work is parents' understanding and support for a healthier menu for their children," Dr Ching said.

A series of briefings on the guidelines will also be conducted for the stakeholders including caterers and school authorities in the coming few months.

Other promotional works in the campaign will include the production of an interactive educational website and tailor-made teaching kits for primary students and teachers.