Weighty issue: Projects are being implemented to mobilise community support for better nutrition in schools, to curb obesity in youngsters.

A Chinese University survey has found 42% of local adolescents are having problems with excessive body weight, high blood pressure, high blood sugar or abnormal blood fat levels.

The survey covered 2,115 students aged 11 to 18, randomly selected from 14 secondary schools. It found 2.9% boys and 2% girls could be said to be suffering from metabolic syndrome, defined as three or more of five risk factors.

When analysed by individual risk factor, 32.2% had high blood pressure, 10.9% had high triglyceride, 2.4% had low HDL-C (good cholesterol), 9% had central obesity, and 0.3% had abnormal blood glucose levels.

Obesity problem

The findings are comparable to figures from many Western countries that show childhood and adolescent obesity is reaching epidemic proportions.

General obesity, family history of diabetes and studying in schools with lower academic performance are independent risk factors for metabolic syndrome. The study concluded there is a need for more research to study the interaction of these risk factors. It also called for intersectoral collaboration and community participation, notably schools and parents, in creating an environment supportive of healthy lifestyles and facilitating healthy food choices by schools, families and children.

Assistant Director of Health Dr Regina Ching said metabolic syndrome is a condition strongly associated with increased risk of heart disease, stroke, kidney failure, diabetes and cancer.

"The risk factors could have damaging effects on health in later life. They are the result of an unhealthy lifestyle among children possibly beginning in primary school years or even before," she said.

Community support

To tackle the issue, the education, health and business sectors, as well as professional groups are uniting to implement initiatives to mobilise community support for better nutrition in schools, to boost parent and food supplier knowledge on healthy food choices, develop skills among parents and teachers for monitoring nutritional content of food sold in schools, and encourage home-school-supplier collaboration for healthier food provision for children.

School management, students, parents and food traders can obtain nutritional information, games, educational resources, teaching kits and videos, guidelines and healthy recipes from the EatSmart@school.hk website.

An inter-school slogan and e-card design contest is being held to bolster students' awareness and knowledge of healthy eating. In January next year, all primary school students can vote for their favourite slogans and e-cards  online. For schools, they can show their support for healthy eating by making their online school pledge here.

On the city-wide School NutriAgent Project to encourage home-school-supplier co-operation for supply of healthier food items in primary schools, Dr Ching said more than 140 primary schools have enrolled and 18 training sessions for teachers and parents will be completed by November.

The training session aims to equip participants with simple yet practical tools to monitor the school nutritional environment, provide feedback and negotiate for healthier food choices.