Singapore should be worried that diabetes is increasingly being diagnosed in children owing to the increased incidence of obesity (Protect your child against diabetes; July 31).<\/p>\n
Cultivating a healthier lifestyle in children, however, is not only the job of parents but also schools. What children eat in school can influence their eating habits in future.<\/p>\n
Pupils usually have at least one meal a day from the canteen. Apart from their recess, those who arrive at school early may have breakfast there, and those who have co-curricular activities may eat lunch at school too.<\/p>\n
It is thus important that schools give healthier food and beverage options in their canteens.<\/p>\n
In 2011, the Health Promotion Board (HPB) established the Healthy Meals in Schools Programme to encourage this and help students cultivate good eating habits from their youth.<\/p>\n
The programme criteria include cutting down fat, sugar and salt, serving whole grains, fruit and vegetables, and serving healthy set meals that incorporate food from the four main food groups: Brown rice; wholemeal bread; meat and others; vegetable and fruit.<\/p>\n
An increase in the percentage of children making healthy food choices can help to decrease the incidence of obesity and illnesses caused by it, like Type 2 diabetes, in children.<\/p>\n
Through courses and talks done by external vendors, schools can also educate pupils about the importance of a healthy lifestyle, i.e. maintaining a balanced diet and keeping fit.<\/p>\n
Helping them to understand the dangers of an unhealthy lifestyle is essential to inculcating in them a will to change their eating habits and stay healthy.<\/p>\n
They may also become agents of change for those around them to adopt a healthier lifestyle. That said, the role of parents, the main role models for their children, should not be compromised or undermined.<\/p>\n
Parents should work hand in glove with schools to ensure that their children get the nutrients they need to grow and maintain a healthier lifestyle.<\/p>\n
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Continued here: Singapore should be worried that diabetes is increasingly being diagnosed in children owing to the increased incidence of obesity (Protect your child against diabetes; July 31). Continue reading
\nSchools have key role in helping kids keep healthy lifestyle - TODAYonline<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"