More than 220,000 students from 350 local primary schools enjoyed nutritious fruit at school in Hong Kong Thursday in support of "Fruit Day," a major event under the " EatSmart@school.hk" campaign.

 

A study conducted by the Department of Health of the Hong Kong government in March 2006 said that only around half of the 9,000 primary school students from 44 schools interviewed ate fruit twice or more each day, reflecting the consumption of fruit had been inadequate among school children in Hong Kong.

 

However, scientific evidence revealed that adequate consumption of fruit and vegetables could lower the risk of developing many diseases including heart disease, stroke and certain types of cancers, therefore, children aged 6 to 12 should eat one to two servings of fruit a day to keep their health at its best.

 

Speaking at a ceremony to mark the "Fruit Day" at St. James Primary School in Wan Chai, Director of Health of Hong Kong Dr. P.Y. Lam said the event is aimed at encouraging schools and parents to foster a school environment conducive to healthy eating and fruit consumption to protect children from diet-related diseases.

 

The event had set a record of engaging half of all the local primary school students to eat fruit on the same day at school. The schools have also pledged to hold more than 270 related activities to encourage students to take more fruit.

 

A tool kit has been produced and distributed to schools and teachers to reinforce students' habit of eating fruit daily.

 

"Fruit Day" is a territory wide event under the "EatSmart@ school.hk" campaign which was launched by the Department of Health of Hong Kong in 2006/07 academic year.

 

(Xinhua News Agency April 20, 2007)