China CDC holds intl meeting on school catering and student health

An international meeting on school catering and student health was held in Haikou, South China's Hainan province, on Dec 7 to 8. 

 

Jointly sponsored by the National Institute for Nutrition and Health, the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (China CDC) and the Chinese Association for Student Nutrition & Health Promotion, the meeting aims to encourage increased investment in nutrition and health, strengthen dietary guidance, and create a healthy food environment for primary and secondary school students.

 

Li Xiaocui, deputy director of the department of health and immunization at the National Administration of Disease Control and Prevention, said that the health status of primary and secondary school students in China has been steadily improving, with a gradual reduction in urban-rural disparities. However, various health issues, such as obesity and myopia, still exist. 

 

According to Li, various departments should strengthen collaboration, play a leading role in policy formulation, and bring about extensive social participation to enhance the health level of students.

 

Shi Xiaoming, deputy director general of the China CDC, encouraged health departments across the country to increase professional guidance and strengthen domestic and international exchanges, striving to prevent and control multiple diseases among students with a comprehensive approach from the perspectives of nutrition, exercise and social environment. 

 

Chen Yongxiang, president of the Chinese Association for Student Nutrition & Health Promotion, shared the involvement of social resources in the cause of nutrition and health for school students in China. 

 

Chen Tao, deputy head of the Hainan Provincial Administration of Disease Control and Prevention, introduced Hainan's explorations in the field of student nutrition and health.

 

Leaders from the National Health Commission and the Ministry of Education of China shared a series of child nutrition and health policies implemented in the country in recent years, and introduced the focus of future work.

 

Experts from the United Nations World Food Programme, the UNICEF Office in China, and experts and specialists in children's health from Malaysia and India shared advanced experiences in school catering and nutritional improvement.