BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

THE number of overweight pupils in Brunei increased by 14 per cent within four years, according to a press release by theMinistry of Health (MoH), yesterday.

In the closing ceremony of the ‘Active, Smart and Excellent Path for Pupils’ programme, the chairman of the Health Promotion Centre, Dr Hjh Norhayati Hj Md Kassim said medical examination of overweight pupils in Brunei showed that the number of overweight pupils had increased from 14.26 per cent in 2007 to 28.40 per cent in 2011.

She said being overweight may lead to chronic illnesses if it is not controlled earlier. “An overweight child has a higher risk of becoming obese when he grows up. It can result in high cholesterol and develop into non-contagious illnesses such as cancer, diabetes mellitus, high blood pressure, coronary heart disease.”

In 2008, the Health Promotion Centre under the MoH found out that 4,172 schoolchildren in the Sultanate were overweight while 3,816 were obese.

In its initiative to overcome the issue of overweight pupils in Brunei, the Department of School Health Services under MoH collaborated with the Ministry of Education. This was done through several activities and awareness over nine months.

Both ministries held some awareness activities at school, to create a healthy environment and to help the pupils work together to create a healthy school environment. The programme also encouraged the Year 4 students to participate in a school project competition.

The main theme of the competition was “Cara Hidup Sihat” (A Healthy Lifestyle).

The winner of the competition was Lambak Kanan Primary School and the first runner up was Pulaie Primary School.

The winners received cash prizes, a trophy and certificates.

The prizes were presented by the guest of honour of the closing ceremony, the Special Duties Senior Officer at the Ministry of Health, Hj Mahrub Hj Murni. - Khai Zem Mat Sani

The Brunei Times