Nutrition project to improve students' physical fitness

An action plan for 2019-2030 devised by a State Council special committee was made public in July, specifying the objectives, tasks and responsibilities of each campaign.

Major health concerns in society, including psychological health, student myopia, child obesity and cancer, were covered by the campaigns.

Malnutrition, including undernutrition, hidden hunger and obesity, threatens the survival, growth and development of children and young people, according to the State of the World's Children 2019 report released by the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF).

According to the report, globally, obesity among children and adolescents continues to rise. From 2000 to 2016, the proportion of overweight children and youth (aged between 5-19) rose from one in 10 to almost one in five.

Under the guidance of the disease control bureau under the National Health Commission, the National Institute for Nutrition and Health under the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, the Beijing Center for Disease Prevention and Control and the center for disease prevention and control of Shunyi District launched the "Nutrition School" pilot project in 2016.

UNICEF supported the preliminary research work of the project, including through financial and technical support, and promoted obesity intervention in all aspects.

"The project aims to promote nutrition education and physical activities to prevent children and adolescents from becoming overweight and obese," said Zhao.