IF recommendations to introduce nutritionists in all 10,000 schools in the country materialise, more nutritionists need to be trained as there will be a shortfall, says Director-General of Health Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah.
“There are only 448 nutritionists in the Health Ministry and none under the Education Ministry.
“There is a need to create additional posts for this job at schools or at least at district education offices to specifically design and implement comprehensive and intensive nutrition services in schools.
“More universities in the country are offering courses on nutrition,” he says.
Nutritionists under the Health Ministry provide services at the clinic level and implement nutrition programmes and activities for the community, including schoolchildren.
Pending the appointment of nutritionists in schools, Dr Noor Hisham says the government recently introduced the C-HAT (Cara Hidup Anda Terbaik) Initiative to empower parents and teachers through the Parent-Teacher Associations (PTAs) to combat obesity among schoolchildren.
“All 10,000 government schools will be involved in this initiative by 2018.
“We hope to produce healthy and productive schoolchildren via acculturation of healthy lifestyles through the empowerment of PTAs.
“This will be achieved by increasing the knowledge and awareness of parents and teachers about the importance of healthy eating and physical activity in tackling obesity, thereby inculcating a healthier culture in children in and outside school.”
Dr Noor Hisham says the implementation of a healthy eating guideline in schools requires the concerted effort of the Health Ministry, Education Ministry, teachers, parents and school canteen operators.
The Education Ministry says it has always been in discussion with the Health Ministry on the possibility of placing nutritionists in schools.
“However, no time frame has been set in view of the large number of nutritionist posts that need to be created and the massive cost this will incur.
“But, the idea is still in consideration,” says Datuk Abdullah Mad Yunos, director of the Education Ministry’s school management division.
At present, he says, a canteen committee monitors the food sold in school canteens. Besides that, the ministry has also provided a Healthy Canteen Guideline to schools.
“Even without nutritionists in schools, we work closely with the Health Ministry to ensure the health and wellbeing of schoolchildren.
“This is done through checks by health teams
that visit schools and monitors students’ health records.
“Students’ BMI (body mass index) is measured twice a year.
“Those who are overweight will be advised to visit the nearest health clinic for further recommendations and advice.
“With the cooperation of the Health Ministry, the Education Ministry will also upgrade the knowledge of physical and health education teachers in schools.”
To improve the quality and nutrition of meals served in schools, Abdullah says the Education and Health ministries conduct reviews of the menus of school canteens, hostels and Food Aid Programmes to ensure that children receive a balanced diet.
“There is also the implementation of self-assessment instruments on canteens of schools and hostels to ensure the safety of the food.
“This is monitored by the school authorities, with random checks conducted by health authorities.”
Dr Noor Hisham says officers from both ministries, teachers and PTA members constantly monitor the food sold in canteens.
He says several measures are being undertaken to improve the quality of food in school canteens. One of the initiatives include the implementation of the Management of Healthy School Canteens guideline.
“Under the purview of the National Plan of Action for Nutrition Malaysia (NPANM) 2016-2025 and Policy Options to Combat Obesity in Malaysia, the Management of Healthy School Canteens guideline will be strengthened by banning food and beverages that are not encouraged to be sold in canteens.
“The NPANM also outlines plans to extend the Program Hidangan Berkhasiat di Sekolah (HITS), launched in 2013 in selected schools, to schools nationwide.
“Under HITS, schoolchildren are served balanced nutritious foods selected by a nutritionist,” says Dr Noor Hisham.
The Health Ministry, in collaboration with Education Ministry,
has produced menus for children
at boarding schools and a list of foods that can be sold at school canteens.
“Educational materials, such as posters on the amount of calories of foods, drinks and snacks, booklets and bookmarks on healthy eating have been published and distributed to schools nationwide,” says Dr Noor Hisham.