Schoolchildren's breakfast quality is declining

(Reporter Wang Dan) More and more wealthy parents have not been able to provide children with nutritious breakfast. On the occasion of the 22nd Chinese Student Nutrition Day (May 20th), the Chinese Student Nutrition and Health Promotion Association released a report on May 14 that the quality of breakfast for primary and secondary school students in our country showed a downward trend.

The full report entitled “Children and Juvenile Nutrition and Health Report 2011 — Cultivating Healthy Eating Behavior and Promoting Children’s Healthy Growth” is based on the dietary behavior of children and adolescents conducted in 4 cities in Shanghai, Harbin, Jinan and Guangzhou in 1998 and 2008. The results of the survey and the extensive scientific literature were written. The report shows that in the past 10 years, the proportion of breakfast and child nutrition in the primary and secondary schools in China has risen from 48.8% in 1998 to 78% in 2008.

According to experts, a nutritious breakfast should include four types of food, including cereals, animal foods, milk or dairy products, and vegetables and fruits. And only 2 or less than 2 types of food for breakfast is "nutrition for breakfast."

The report also reveals changes in the structure of snacks among primary and secondary school students in China. The proportion of cold drinks consumed increased from 59.5% in 1998 to 75.7% in 2008. Fresh fruit and vegetables dropped from 85.1% to 74.5%. The frequency of fast food consumption has increased significantly. The proportion of young people aged 15 to 17 years old who eat out in the country is 30.8%, and the number of people eating in the city is significantly higher than that in rural areas; the proportion of people who eat fast food at least once a week rose from 1.9% in 1998 to 2008. 16.2%.

At the same time, the consumption of beverages including carbonated drinks, tea, and coffee increased from about 300 milliliters per person per day in 1998 to about 500 milliliters in 2008, of which 2/3 were sugary drinks. In contrast, the proportion of students who drink milk and yoghurt dropped from 81.5% in 1998 to 57.1% in 2008.

The report pointed out that the causes of the above problems are closely related to various social factors such as family education, school development, and development of the food and beverage catering industry. China should issue the “National Nutrition Improvement Regulations” as soon as possible; establish a nutrition management mechanism that is led by the government, finance, health, education, transportation, agriculture, industry and commerce, food supervision and technical supervision, and social welfare.

On the day of the conference, the Chinese Student Nutrition and Health Promotion Association, China Care for the Next Generation Working Committee, China Association for Health Promotion and Education, and the China Nutrition Society jointly organized the 2011 May 20th Chinese Student Nutrition Day Publicity and Education series. The theme of this year's China Student Nutrition Day is "Total, balanced, and moderate -- to cultivate healthy eating behavior."