Tate & Lyle has announced a partnership with the Shanghai Nutrition Society, a government-guided specialist nutrition organisation, which has launched a new Child Health Improvement Programme at certain schools in Shanghai, China.

With one in four Chinese children over the age of seven forecast to become overweight or obese by 2030, government and expert nutrition organisations are seeking new ways to tackle the increasing level of childhood overweight and obesity. The new ‘Healthy Eating, Happy Learning’ programme sees children in two schools in the Pudong district of Shanghai benefit from healthier lunches, nutrition and health education, and increased physical activity. As part of the programme, the schools’ external lunchbox suppliers are supported to adapt traditional Chinese dishes, for instance to lower fat from oil and to add vegetables. Parents and teachers will also learn about the importance of diet, nutrition and maintaining an active lifestyle.

Around 1,000 students aged between six and nine are taking part in the two-year programme. The health of the children is being monitored regularly and progress will be compared with children at another school in Shanghai which operates without a comprehensive health programme. Tate & Lyle’s food scientists and nutritionists are helping to deliver classes and activities alongside the Shanghai Nutrition Society’s expert team and the schools’ teachers. Students and parents will have the opportunity to visit Tate & Lyle’s food kitchen in Shanghai to learn how to make nutritious and delicious meals.

The methodology and results of the programme will be assessed with a view to determining a model that could potentially be used in the future to improve the lives of more children, schools and families within China.

Harry Boot, Senior Vice President & General Manager Speciality Food Ingredients Asia Pacific at Tate & Lyle, said: “We are delighted to be partnering with the Shanghai Nutrition Society in such an important programme. Obesity is a highly complex challenge affecting individuals, families and communities across the world. We work with both large and small food manufacturers to help them lower sugar, fat and calories in food and drink, and we also work in local communities to promote healthier, balanced lifestyles. Through our partnership with the Shanghai Nutrition Society our aim is not only to improve the health of children at schools in Shanghai, but also to build key nutritional knowledge and data which can be used in the future to improve lives for generations.”

Guo Hong Wei General Director at the Shanghai Nutrition Society, said: “Tate & Lyle’s action shows their sense of social responsibility. The Shanghai Nutrition Society is very happy to cooperate with enterprises in conducting student obesity intervention projects. Strengthening cooperation with food companies is one important measure in implementing a national nutrition plan, lowering the prevalence of obesity, and controlling chronic diseases. Through this project we will strengthen the monitoring and assessment of overweight and obese statuses in students, as well as analyse influencing factors, such as family, school and society. We will conduct nutrition and health education activities for students, and urge elementary and secondary schools to reinforce such educational activities. These activities are targeted, comprehensive intervention measures that have been proven to be effective by previous scientific studies and practices.”