P R E S S   R E L E A S E

          Over 100,000 students from 145 schools will have healthy breakfast at the same time to create a Guinness World Record this Friday (28 June 2002).  They are taking part in "The Biggest Healthy Breakfast Day", jointly launched by the Centre for Health Education and Health Promotion of The Chinese University of Hong Kong and RTHK Radio 2, with the support of Hong Kong Health Education and Health Promotion Foundation, to arouse public attention to the importance of breakfast.

          Various studies by the Centre suggest that children who eat breakfast are healthier, happier and even perform better academically.  A health surveillance study in 1999 on over 26,000 primary and secondary students revealed that 21% of the students did not eat breakfast with significantly higher percentage in upper grades (24.1% amongst the age range 15-19 vs 19.5% amongst the age range 10-14).  Further analyses revealed reasons of not having breakfast include in hurry for school and lacking appetite.  The perceived level of happiness and having healthy eating habits such as taking five servings of fruits and/or vegetables daily were independent factors associated with higher likelihood of having breakfast regularly.  Smoking or drinking, and stronger sense of hopelessness were independent factors associated with higher likelihood of not having breakfast.

          Surveys on over 7,000 primary and secondary students amongst the Centre's network of 'Healthy Schools' in late 2001 revealed that 17% of the students did not eat breakfast.  Students with depressive symptoms were more likely not having breakfast compared with those without depressive symptoms (23.1% vs 12.9%).  Students who eat breakfast had significantly higher life satisfaction score.  74% and 70% of students having breakfast respectively rated themselves with good academic results and good health whilst only 60% of students without breakfast did so.

          Professor Albert Lee, Director of the Centre for Health Education and Health Promotion said, "These findings highlighted the prevalence of students not taking breakfast. Poor breakfast eating habit was also associated with other unhealthy dietary habits and lifestyles.  Improper eating habit such as not having breakfast may also be related to underlying emotional problems."

          Professor Lee added, "The percentage of students not having breakfast in the 2001 survey was lower than that in the 1999 survey.  This might be associated with the promotion of the concept of Healthy Schools.  The concept of Healthy School embodies a holistic approach to personal and community health promotion in which a broad health education curriculum is supported by the school environment."

          A proper breakfast provides about one third of the daily total energy and nutrient requirements.  Healthy breakfast should be in line with the healthy eating pyramid and includes the five food groups: bread and cereals, vegetable, fruit, dairy products and meat or beans.  It should be less on fat, sugar, salt, and rich in calcium and dietary fibre. 

          "The Biggest Healthy Breakfast Day" will be broadcasted live by RTHK Radio 2 and which is also the kick-off programme for the RTHK's "Solar Project".