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Press Release

DH promotes healthy lifestyles in the community

28 May 2013

Some 200 community members and partners from various organisations received commendation from the Department of Health (DH) at a recognition ceremony today (May 28) for their active participation in promoting and facilitating healthy eating and regular physical activity in the Hong Kong community.

Addressing the "I'm So Smart" Community Programme Recognition Ceremony today, the Controller of the Centre for Health Protection of the DH, Dr Leung Ting-hung, said that non-communicable diseases (NCDs) can be effectively prevented and controlled through adoption of healthy lifestyles, in which a healthy diet and regular physical activity are two key factors.

"As our society advances, Hong Kong people are living longer in general. At the same time, due to population ageing and increased societal affluence, there is an increasing number of people suffering from NCDs, such as cancer, stroke and heart diseases, which cause ill-health and disability and place a heavy burden on society," Dr Leung said.

"Risk factors associated with NCDs are closely related to unhealthy lifestyles, such as unhealthy dietary habits, inadequate physical activity, smoking and harmful alcohol use, according to scientific studies," he added.

To improve the health of the public and to mitigate the burden brought about by NCDs, the DH has all along worked with various sectors to actively promote at the community level a healthy dietary culture and public engagement in regular physical activity.

The "I'm So Smart" Community Programme was launched in 2012 by the DH in collaboration with community partners to promote a healthy diet and regular physical activity at all levels of the community.

The Programme has been supported by over 50 organisations including the Hong Kong Housing Authority (HKHA), Estate Management Advisory Committees of estates under the HKHA, Healthy Cities Projects and non-governmental organisations. Participating organisations have held a variety of activities to promote a healthy diet and regular physical activity according to community needs and interests. By so doing, people's health can be improved in places where they live, work, learn and play. Total attendance of more than 60 000 was recorded for these activities in 2012.

Health promotion and disease prevention can only be achieved by community-wide participation. The DH will continue to actively promote a healthy diet and regular physical activity through various measures and activities with a view to improving the health of the public.

Other officiating guests at today's ceremony included the Emeritus Professor of Community Medicine of the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Professor Lee Shiu-hung; the Chief Manager (Management) of the Housing Department, Mr Virgil Hsu; the Vice-Chairperson of the Physical Fitness Association of Hong Kong, China, Miss Hon Sze-sze; the Chairman of the Hong Kong Dietitians Association, Ms Sylvia Lam; and the representative of the Hong Kong Nutrition Association, Ms Angela Chan.

The Controller of the Centre for Health Protection of the Department of Health, Dr Leung Ting-hung (third right), officiates at the "I'm So Smart" Community Programme Recognition Ceremony today (May 28) to promote a healthy diet and regular physical activity.

28 May 2013