Kids To Put Best Fruit Forward

A healthy living campaign has gone online in a bid to get students to eat more fruit. A survey by health chiefs in 2006 and 2008 found that only slightly more than half of primary pupils eat fruit twice daily.

In an attempt to change the picture found by the EatSmart@school.hk campaign, the Department of Health has launched an interactive game to engage students.

The game starts today and runs for 100 days culminating in a “Joyful Fruit Day,” which is set for April 28.

It poses questions about fruit and fruit-eating habits to raise awareness.

Participants need to answer to chalk up points and rise through the levels of the game.

“Now the new generation is playing more online games. To give them more interest in our cause, we created this game in the hope that they will cultivate a habit of playing it for the next 100 days, so they will be constantly reminded of the benefits of eating fresh fruit,” said Sarah Chan Man-yu, a nursing officer at the Central Health Education Unit.

Including fruit as part of the daily diet helps expel waste from the body, increases immunity and reduces the chances of falling ill.

According to research in the United States, children who eat more fruit and vegetables have less overall fat intake and also perform better academically.

“We encourage people to include fruit in their diet – though some fruit such as avocados, coconuts and durians have higher fat content – and you need to eat them in moderation,” said Shanna Wu Yin-shan, a dietitian at the Central Health Education Unit.

The recommended fruit intake for children aged one to 18 ranges from half a serving to two servings, with each serving of fruit weighing about 80 grams.

Wu warned against drinking too much fresh fruit juice, as it contains more calories and sugar than fresh fruit.

She suggested having just one glass a day.

Besides targeting primary school students, the department has also prepared a different program for secondary school students.

They can take part in a filmmaking competition to promote fruit-eating as the “in” thing to do among peers.

In line with healthy eating for the Lunar New Year, officials are also urging the public to give fruit baskets as gift hampers rather than typical items such as egg rolls, which are not as healthy. By Kaylene Hong, Hongkong Standard