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SCMP Reporter

How can we tackle childhood obesity?
The condition of some children in our city  is alarming. A study  found that about 15 per cent of children in Hong Kong are overweight ('Bad habits blamed as study shows children are getting fatter', September 4). To address the problem, schools and parents must work together.
Schools should  put more physical education lessons in the weekly curriculum. Most primary schools  schedule only two PE lessons a week.
Schools are not just there to enable pupils to gain academic knowledge. They are also there to teach young people life skills. If they attend PE lessons more frequently at school, they will get into the habit of exercising regularly.
Combined with this, schools can also help students  learn to have a healthy diet. They should only allow certain kinds of food to be sold in tuck shops, banning  foods with a high oil  or sugar content.
The health of children will be greatly improved, if they have a balanced diet and get regular exercise.
In Hong Kong, most parents know very little about nutrition. When their income increases, they will buy more food for the family without thinking about its nutritional quality.
It is important for them to learn something about nutrition, so they can ensure their children get a healthy diet.  They need to ensure their children spend less time on the couch and at their computers, and more time outdoors.
Improving health is not only important to children, but also to the future of our society.  It can reduce  our dependence on medical services,  lessening the financial burden on the government.
Mandy Wong Siu-man, Lam Tin
The main reason so many children are overweight is that they do not do enough exercise and have a poor diet. In fact,  Hongkongers have little awareness of health issues.
It is up to parents to help their children develop healthy habits from an early age - to prevent them from eating snacks, skipping meals and sleeping late. None of these things are good for their health and  will  lead to weight gain.
With the help of their parents,  children can learn self-discipline and  independence, so they can take care of themselves and adopt healthy habits.
Nutrition should also be taught in schools, because students know little about balanced diets. I am not saying they all need detailed lessons, but it would help if the pupils knew something about nutrition. Physical education lessons are also very important, and students must exercise and learn more about fitness training. Schools should take the opportunity to build a health-conscious atmosphere  by encouraging students to get involved in  sports.
Talks should be given in schools about the problems associated with obesity and how to avoid it.
Health  centres can also help by giving students annual checks, and special treatment to those who need it. Leaflets  and adverts  could make people more aware of the problem of obesity.
If more people exercise and are healthier, this will benefit the government, as it will reduce health-care costs.
Emily Lau Lai-fan, Ngau Tau Kok
How can outdoor workers be protected from heatstroke?
During the summer,  people working outdoors can be at risk.
I can appreciate how hot it must get. Even when I am indoors, I sometimes get dizzy from the heat. This is a problem that should not be ignored.
Working too hard outdoors when the temperature has risen to 30 degrees Celsius, or  a hot weather warning has been issued, can prove fatal. It is essential that these workers drink a lot of water regularly. From time to time they also need to find some shade where they can rest. If possible, they should also bring an umbrella to work and a small fan.
When there is a heatwave, workers  have to be able to take short breaks whenever they are tired.
Also, if possible, they should start early in the day when it is not so hot.  They could work  from 8am  until  noon, take a break, and then work again from 3pm.
Everyone deserves to have a safe working environment.
Ivan Lo, Tseung Kwan O
On other matters ...
On the afternoon of September 3, commuters exiting Mong Kok MTR station's B2 exit were greeted by blasts of hot and polluted air courtesy of the mobile showroom manned by American International Assurance (AIA)  and JF Asset Management.
In case your readers have forgotten, in 2006 these companies launched Hong Kong's first 'socially responsible' MPF fund named the Green Fund ('Green fund widens MPF choice',  April 2, 2006).  Companies are chosen  for their financial performance as well as their 'environmental credentials', as classified by Innovest Strategic  Advisers,  an independent ratings agency.
These are fine words, but the level of sincerity to environmental protection is obviously nil when the promotion of the AIA-JF funds is carried out via a vehicle whose  idling engine is  fouling  one of Hong Kong's most congested and polluted streets.
AIA-JF is not alone. I have also seen PCCW, Sony Ericsson and Standard Chartered Bank use similar modified showroom vehicles. These companies have also pledged their commitment to be  socially responsible corporate entities. What is more,  except for PCCW, such promotions would not be tolerated in the perpetrators' home countries.
One also has to question the ethics of the management of these companies that encourage young and impressionable staff members to ignore the health risks these promotions pose.
In view of the high levels of congestion on our streets and the ever-declining quality of  our air,  when can we expect the secretaries for transport and the environment to  take action?
In the meantime, concerned citizens can do their bit by lodging a complaint with  the authorities every time they spot one of these polluters in their neighbourhood.
Mary Melville, Tsim Sha Tsui
I refer to Hans Ebert's  letter (Talkback, September 3),  regarding his disgust at being asked to obey a club's rules regarding wearing a hat indoors.
I was always brought up to believe that wearing a hat indoors was the height of bad manners and showed a lack of respect to the host.
The clubs have rules like this to ensure a civilised atmosphere.
Rob Weiler, Mid-Levels



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