BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

HELPING children develop positive attitudes toward healthy lifestyles at an early age makes it more likely they will carry healthy-living habits with them into adulthood, said permanent secretary at the Ministry of Health.

Datin Paduka Dr Hjh Norlila Dato Paduka Hj Abdul Jalil said a healthy eating habit and lifestyle all starts from home and if a child’s diet is not intervened early, it can increase the child’s chance of obesity as 17 per cent of teenagers were found suffering from weight-related problems according to a World Health Organisation (WHO) study.

WHO’s Global School Health Survey 2014 has shown that a total of 2,599 students participated in the health survey, according to the study’s fact sheet on Brunei.

The statistics also revealed that there were more obese students among males than females.

The permanent secretary recently said that with busy, on-the-go lifestyles, many Bruneians have lost touch with their kitchens and thrown in the towel on eating healthy, which is key to prevention of heart disease and obesity.

“Healthy living comes from the family unit itself, if you listen to your forefathers or grandparents, their diet was mainly of fresh vegetables and fresh fish. Nowadays because of the life we live, with both parents working, they tend to take the quickest way by dining out or opting for instant meals,” she said.

Datin Paduka Dr Hjh Norlila added that while it is understandable that some parents may choose to indulge in instant meals and rely on takeouts, it is important to be cautious with the food we put into our body and must not make it a lifestyle as it may have life-long effects.

“People tend to go for something that is quick and fast, but when they get used to this sort of diet, their children will be exposed to the unhealthy eating habit at an early age too,” she said.

The Brunei Times