Health CommunicationOn 21 December 2011, the FAMILY Project held a press conference to announce the preliminary findings of its study on healthy lifestyle and health status among the Hong Kong population, and to introduce the public to the interactive calculator, “10-point Healthy Living Index” (HELI), an easy way to assess their health status.
From March 2009 to March 2011, the FAMILY Project successfully interviewed more than 20,000 Hong Kong families, gathering data regarding people’s lifestyle, eating habits, health status and relationships between family members. According to a 10-point scale, the study found that 64% of Hong Kong people scored 6 points (pass) or above, nearly 24% of Hong Kong people received at least 8 points (very healthy). The mean score of Hong Kong people was 6.11. However, the study found that 90% of Hong Kong people had inadequate vegetable and fruit intake and 30% of Hong Kong people were considered obese.
In order to satisfy the minimum standard of 5 servings of vegetable and fruit per day set by the Department of Health, Professor LAM Tai-hing, Sir Robert Kotewall Professor in Public Health, Director of the School of Public Health, HKU and Principal Investigator of the FAMILY Project, suggested that we can prepare fruits that are ready-to-eat (such as bananas and apples) or choose different kinds of fruits and vegetables to eat (for example: vegetable clay pot). Drinking fresh fruit/ vegetable juice (e.g. five green juice) is also a good alternative. In addition, Professor LAM recommended a healthy menu for celebrating Winter Solstice with the family.
Professor Sophia CHAN, Research Director of the School of Nursing, HKU and Co-Investigator of the FAMILY Project, introduced the “10-point Healthy Living Index” (HELI) interactive calculator devised by the FAMILY Project, she encouraged people to use this calculator with their families to calculate their individual and family HELI scores.
At the press conference, Professor LAM and Professor CHAN demonstrated how fresh fruit/ vegetable juice is made. The press conference attracted extensive media coverage and boosted public awareness on health consciousness.
(From left) Ms Imelda CHAN, Executive Manager, Charities, The Hong Kong Jockey Club; Professor LAM Tai-hing, Sir Robert Kotewall Professor in Public Health, Principal Investigator of FAMILY Project Team and Director, School of Public Health, The University of Hong Kong and Professor Sophia CHAN Siu-chee, Co-Investigator of FAMILY Project Team, Research Director, School of Nursing, The University of Hong Kong
Professor LAM Tai-hing said the study found that 90% of Hong Kong people had inadequate vegetable and fruit intake and 30% of Hong Kong people were considered obese.
Professor Sophia CHAN Siu-chee suggested the public to build up a healthy lifestyle together with their family members.
Professor LAM Tai-hing and Professor Sophia CHAN Siu-chee demonstrated how to make fresh fruit/ vegetable juice with five servings of fruits or vegetables.
The display of the portion size of each type of vegetable or fruit in one serving at the venue.
The exhibition boards displayed updated news and activities organized by the FAMILY Project.
The study had attracted media presence and coverage.
