NurtureSG taskforce recommendations to be out in 2017
SINGAPORE — An inter-agency taskforce looking into ways to inculcate healthy habits among children will release its recommendations in 2017, said Minister of State for Health Lam Pin Min.
Dr Lam, who is co-chairing the NurtureSG taskforce with Minister of State for Education Janil Puthucheary, kick-started an eight-week-long public consultation process for the taskforce yesterday, holding a focus group discussion with 35 parents and caregivers of pre-schoolers.
According to Dr Lam, NurtureSG — which was announced earlier this month during the Health Ministry’s Committee of Supply session in Parliament — will gather feedback from the public through face-to-face discussions as well as online channels.
After feedback has been gathered, the taskforce will initiate an action plan.
The focus group discussion yesterday touched on topics like nutrition, physical activity, myopia, mental well-being and dental health — topics which, Dr Lam said, have been flagged by the Health Promotion Board as needing attention.
Dr Lam added that the taskforce will be looking at some key performance indicators when it comes to tackling obesity in schools and an announcement will be made in due course.
He said: “We will be looking at nutrition, the eating habits of children and how we can actually inculcate good eating habits. At the same time (we also try to) provide good, healthier food choices in school canteens because if the school canteen sells unhealthy food, we don’t expect the children to eat healthily.”
He added: “We also want to look into physical activity. We know that leading a sedentary lifestyle will lead to an increase in obesity rates.”
Members of the public can also give feedback online through the Health Ministry’s website.
The online public consultation asks parents or students questions, such as what they feel would motivate children to exercise and where children eat their fruits and vegetables.
The exercise continues till June 19. CHANNEL NEWSASIA
