Eating right in schools

PETALING JAYA: A fun and interesting approach to eating healthy should be encouraged in schools before it's too late to control their diet.

Dietitians Association of Malaysia president Tan Yoke Hwa said: "I support the Deputy Education Minister Datuk Dr Wee Ka Siong's plan to not ban or restrict food items sold at canteens, but to instead allow students to determine their calorie-intake through a new canteen guideline.

"I would also like more schools to invite dietitians to talk on health matters and help implement practical healthy food preparation classes, a la Jamie Oliver's style to educate children on what they should consume on a daily basis.

"They need to be educated on the levels of protein, vitamins, iron, zinc, fibre and minerals needed daily in an interesting manner. Perhaps practical cooking classes could be part of the curriculum."

Tan said: "Schools play a vital part in children's upbringing as students spend close to 12 hours a day in school. Instilling of good eating habits will certainly benefit children in the long run."

Stating the new canteen guidelines give parents and teachers the right tools to follow up on a child's development, she suggested canteen operators modify the menu like preparing sandwiches with wholemeal bread and introducing fruit salads.

Meanwhile, National Parent-Teacher Association Collaborative Council (National PTA) president associate prof Datuk Mohammad Ali Hassan said the government should find healthier substitutes to popular food sold in canteens.

"There was no need for any food ban to be put in place, as long as the Ministry finds a practical way to ensure students eat healthily.

"Why should we limit students? If they want to eat a burger, give it to them." But, he stressed canteens should be made to provide lower-calorie alternatives such as vegetarian burgers.

He also agreed that students Body Mass Index (BMI) should be calculated twice a year as a child's rising BMI could act as reminders for parents to control the food intake and weight of their children.

Mohammad Ali also suggested: "Physical exercise should be given more importance in schools."

National Union of Teaching Profession (NUTP) secretary-general Loke Yim Pheng wants the Ministry to come down hard on errant canteen operators.

"School canteens must be firm in what they choose to sell to students. Local schools have no proper monitoring of students' diet.

"Both parents and teachers have a shared responsibility to instil healthy eating habits in children. I'm not saying schools aren't selling good food, but most of them take food matters for granted with the sole intention of making a profit.”

Last week, Dr Wee said there will be no ban on food sold in canteens despite suggestions to ban food like burgers and nuggets.

The ministry thus decided to come up with guidelines to educate students on how to eat right. He said students' BMI readings would be recorded twice a year to check on their obesity levels.