| Ishan Ibrahim |
THE Home Kitchen hosted the launching of the Healthy Restaurant Programme yesterday, which is the latest in a series of projects implemented by the Ministry of Health (MoH) since 2014, to promote healthy eating habits.
The guest of honour at the event was Dr Zainal Ariffin bin Haji Yahya, the General Director at the MoH.
In a speech Dr Hajah Norhayati binti Haji Mohd Kassim, the Head of the Health Promotion Centre (HPC) at the MoH, emphasised the importance of renouncing unhealthy eating habits and a sedentary lifestyle, both of which are among the primary causes of non-communicable diseases (NCDs).
She quoted recent numbers in the National Health and Nutritional Status Survey 2009-2011 Phase 2, from ages five to 75, showing that 55.4 per cent of men and 54.6 per cent of women obtain their energy from 30 per cent of fats, and 10 per cent from saturated fats.
The figures for daily calorie intake indicate around 1714 calories for men and 1400 calories for women.
Dr Zainal Ariffin bin Haji Yahya, the General Director at the Ministry of Health, presenting a certificate of participation to the Home Kitchen. – ISHAN IBRAHIM
According to Dr Hajah Norhayati, restaurants have a significant influence over the eating habits in our society where dining out is especially popular; and this constitutes an environment that is in line with the World Health Organization drive towards a healthy lifestyle and the prevention of non-communicable diseases (NCDs).
She gave more details of the Healthy Restaurant Programme, which include instilling the culture of healthy eating among restaurateurs and restaurant patrons.
Since 2014, nine restaurants have collaborated with the HPC to promote healthy eating habits. These affiliated restaurants receive full support and assistance from the centre’s nutritionists in optimising healthier food options.
The restaurants are also recommended to cater requests for less sugar, salt or fat; and a “Healthier Choices” section will be added to the menus for clarity in dining options.
As reported by the Ministry of Health, NCDs – including cancer, heart diseases, diabetes mellitus, cerebrovascular diseases and hypertension – have become the leading causes of death in Brunei Darussalam over the last five years.
The risk factors of NCDs are mainly due to poor diet, a sedentary lifestyle, smoking and unremitting stress. Additionally, being overweight and obese can contribute to the rise of NCDs.
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