I must write today as it will be 4 more years before I can write on 29 February!! :-)
"More programmes in pipeline to cultivate healthy habits among children, youths: Gan - CNA 29 Feb 2016
SINGAPORE: More programmes and initiatives to help the young cultivate healthy habits will be announced in due course, said Health Minister Gan Kim Yong on Monday (Feb 29) in a written Parliamentary reply to Member of Parliament Intan Azura Mokhtar.
Mr Gan said that the Ministry of Health (MOH) will be working with partners on a "holistic approach" to address the health challenges faced by children and youths.
The proportion of overweight and severely overweight children in mainstream schools increased from 11 per cent in 2011 to 12 per cent in 2015, he said.
To date, various initiatives have already been introduced in schools to encourage good dietary habits and regular physical activity.
For example, school canteens now offer more healthier options, while tuckshop operators are encouraged to use healthier ingredients and food preparation methods. Water coolers are also extensively available to promote water drinking and beverages sold in schools are required to have reduced sugar levels.
Mr Gan also touched on the expanded Physical Education periods, which have led to an increase of students' base participation in sports and physical activities to at least two hours a week.
In his reply, Mr Gan also revealed the results of a triennial survey conducted by the Health Promotion Board, which looks at the lifestyle risk factors of students, such as their dietary habits and physical activity.
"During the survey period 2012-2014, the median duration spent on physical activity which includes leisure, school-related physical activities and walking or cycling while commuting between places, was reported at 250 minutes per week for polytechnic students, 339 minutes per week for Secondary and JC/CI students, and 360 minutes per week for ITE students," said Mr Gan.
Another survey conducted by the Health Ministry in 2013 showed that the median duration spent on such activity was reported to be 450 minutes per week among adults aged 18 to 69. The highest median duration was among the young adults aged 18 to 29 at 510 minutes per week, while the lowest was among those aged 30 to 49 at 420 minutes per week. The figure rose again in the 50 to 59 age group, Mr Gan shared."
It is puzzling to many 'liberals' who will say that this is 'invasion of free will and free choices' as the people, young and old, should be able to decide how to live their lives!
1. on an individual basis, each individual does have the choice to decide what kind of lifestyle does one want to lead;
2. on a broader basis, in the context of society and nation, if the individual made bad lifestyle choices and become obese or sick, thus exerting financial and structural pressure on the nation, maybe that individual's decision may not be just an isolated decision. Of course, the government is supposed to take care of its citizens regardless of how 'badly they had behaved' as long as they are not breaking the laws and hurting people directly. Yet, is this caring for the 'careless living' be sustainable? If the number of such 'wrong decision making individuals' become a critical mass, will Singapore be able to support them? Probably NOT!;
3. the fact that the MoH is concerned enough to raise the alarms means that the parents perhaps are NOT living healthily in the 1st place and cannot be a role model to the kids. Parents that lead sedentary lifestyles have many reasons. Especially after they left school, started work and particularly after starting a family! What can be done there?
4. since parents cannot be the role model and inculcate the good healthy habits at home from young, the government has to step in. Pure and simple. Just like the recent MoE directive to get the kids do daily area cleaning in schools. It is a necessary intervention to get the kids to start a GOOD habit. That same applies for 'eating and exercising healthily' here.
May this mind-setting changing initiative brings the people to developing a new healthy living habit!
"More programmes in pipeline to cultivate healthy habits among children, youths: Gan - CNA 29 Feb 2016
SINGAPORE: More programmes and initiatives to help the young cultivate healthy habits will be announced in due course, said Health Minister Gan Kim Yong on Monday (Feb 29) in a written Parliamentary reply to Member of Parliament Intan Azura Mokhtar.
Mr Gan said that the Ministry of Health (MOH) will be working with partners on a "holistic approach" to address the health challenges faced by children and youths.
The proportion of overweight and severely overweight children in mainstream schools increased from 11 per cent in 2011 to 12 per cent in 2015, he said.
To date, various initiatives have already been introduced in schools to encourage good dietary habits and regular physical activity.
For example, school canteens now offer more healthier options, while tuckshop operators are encouraged to use healthier ingredients and food preparation methods. Water coolers are also extensively available to promote water drinking and beverages sold in schools are required to have reduced sugar levels.
Mr Gan also touched on the expanded Physical Education periods, which have led to an increase of students' base participation in sports and physical activities to at least two hours a week.
In his reply, Mr Gan also revealed the results of a triennial survey conducted by the Health Promotion Board, which looks at the lifestyle risk factors of students, such as their dietary habits and physical activity.
"During the survey period 2012-2014, the median duration spent on physical activity which includes leisure, school-related physical activities and walking or cycling while commuting between places, was reported at 250 minutes per week for polytechnic students, 339 minutes per week for Secondary and JC/CI students, and 360 minutes per week for ITE students," said Mr Gan.
Another survey conducted by the Health Ministry in 2013 showed that the median duration spent on such activity was reported to be 450 minutes per week among adults aged 18 to 69. The highest median duration was among the young adults aged 18 to 29 at 510 minutes per week, while the lowest was among those aged 30 to 49 at 420 minutes per week. The figure rose again in the 50 to 59 age group, Mr Gan shared."
It is puzzling to many 'liberals' who will say that this is 'invasion of free will and free choices' as the people, young and old, should be able to decide how to live their lives!
1. on an individual basis, each individual does have the choice to decide what kind of lifestyle does one want to lead;
2. on a broader basis, in the context of society and nation, if the individual made bad lifestyle choices and become obese or sick, thus exerting financial and structural pressure on the nation, maybe that individual's decision may not be just an isolated decision. Of course, the government is supposed to take care of its citizens regardless of how 'badly they had behaved' as long as they are not breaking the laws and hurting people directly. Yet, is this caring for the 'careless living' be sustainable? If the number of such 'wrong decision making individuals' become a critical mass, will Singapore be able to support them? Probably NOT!;
3. the fact that the MoH is concerned enough to raise the alarms means that the parents perhaps are NOT living healthily in the 1st place and cannot be a role model to the kids. Parents that lead sedentary lifestyles have many reasons. Especially after they left school, started work and particularly after starting a family! What can be done there?
4. since parents cannot be the role model and inculcate the good healthy habits at home from young, the government has to step in. Pure and simple. Just like the recent MoE directive to get the kids do daily area cleaning in schools. It is a necessary intervention to get the kids to start a GOOD habit. That same applies for 'eating and exercising healthily' here.
May this mind-setting changing initiative brings the people to developing a new healthy living habit!
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