SPEECH BY MR HAWAZI DAIPI, SENIOR PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY, MINISTRY OF EDUCATION & MINSTRY OF MANPOWER, AT ‘HEALTHZONE CHALLENGE – A CHALLENGE OF THE MIND’ FINALS ON FRIDAY, 24 SEPTEMBER 2004, AT 2.30 PM AT HEALTH PROMOTION BOARD AUDITORIUM

Mr Wong Yew Meng
Chairman, Health Promotion Board

Distinguished Guests
 
Ladies and Gentlemen

Boys and Girls

Good afternoon

Introduction

1.      I am very pleased to join you this afternoon for the finals of HealthZone Challenge – A Challenge of The Mind’. Forty-three primary and secondary schools have submitted many innovative health projects to the ‘Challenge of the Mind’ competition and six have been shortlisted for today’s finals. These health projects have helped students to enhance their knowledge of healthy habits. My congratulations to all of you for your enthusiastic participation. I understand that another component of the HealthZone Challenge is the Sports Challenge. Participants will have the chance to engage in friendly competition at a variety of sports stations, like rope skipping and golf putting. I’m sure you are all raring to take on the coming sporting challenge.

Background
2.      The National Healthy Lifestyle Campaign (NHLC) is an annual month-long campaign that is part of the National Healthy Lifestyle Programme, which was first launched in 1992. This year’s NHLC was launched on 5 September 2004 at Sentosa with the theme, “Fit health into your life now. Exercise and eat right”. The campaign is focused on fighting obesity and aims to raise awareness of the health risks associated with obesity. It also encourages Singaporeans to achieve a healthy weight through regular exercise and healthy diet choices. These simple changes can make a positive impact on our health.

Importance of Maintaining a Healthy Lifestyle
3.      In Singapore and many other countries, unhealthy eating habits and a lack of physical activity have led to more overweight and obese people. Partly because of increasing modernisation and affluence, we have become more sedentary – exercising less, eating more, relying on motorised transport, and partaking in passive leisure activities like watching television. 

4.      The last National Health Survey (NHS) conducted in 1998 showed that only 16.8 per cent of Singaporeans exercised regularly. 54.7 per cent of Singaporeans did not exercise at all. 1 in 4 adults and about 1 in 10 students were overweight or obese. These are frightening statistics because the risks associated with excessive weight have been well-documented. Diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, and stroke are just a few health-related problems that can arise.

5.      We know that with the right exercise and eating habits, you function better, not only in school and at work, but in all other areas of your life. Physically, you will be healthier and fall ill less frequently. Mentally, you will enjoy psychological benefits – a stronger self-image and better stress management. Just as an artist must put in considerable time and effort to produce an exceptional work of art, so are we able to strengthen our body, mind, and soul by taking care of our physical and mental well-being. As the ancient Greek physician, Herophilus, said, “When health is absent, wisdom cannot reveal itself, art cannot manifest, strength cannot fight, wealth becomes useless, and intelligence cannot be applied”.

How to Maintain a Healthy Lifestyle
6.      As students spend a significant part of their growing years in schools, schools have an important role to play in creating an environment that inculcates lifelong healthy habits in students. I am glad to see that schools have undertaken such efforts wholeheartedly. In addition to promoting the healthy living message in classes, health education activities like ‘Fitness Day’, ‘Healthy Food Week’ and “Skipping Your Way to Good Health’ are organised throughout the year.

7.      The Trim and Fit (TAF) Programme was also implemented in 1992 in support of the NHLC, with the objectives of reducing obesity and improving physical fitness among students. I am pleased to note that the TAF programme has reaped commendable success. It has improved the fitness levels of our students, reduced the percentage of overweight students, and helped to raise the awareness of the importance of healthy living. The percentage of students who passed the annual physical fitness test has improved from 57.8 per cent in 1992 to 81.0 per cent in 2003. The percentage of overweight students has also fallen from 14 per cent in 1992 to 10.0 per cent in 2003.

8.      HealthZone, the healthy lifestyle exhibition centre of the Health Promotion Board also complements the efforts by schools. Through the wide variety of interesting and interactive exhibits and health education sessions, students are able to learn more about healthy living. Two studies carried out by HealthZone earlier this year have found that these activities have had a positive impact on students. Students have made changes to their lifestyle by taking better care of their eyes, eating more healthfully and exercising more. Many students have passed on their greater health knowledge to their family members.

9.      I would also personally encourage all of you to take up some kind of sporting activity. Besides providing a good form of exercise, sports are an excellent way to make more friends, and build leadership skills, team spirit and discipline.

Conclusion
10.    At this juncture, I would like to congratulate the Health Promotion Board for their efforts in promoting healthy habits among our students. I have no doubt that the Healthzone Challenge has been both stimulating and beneficial for the participants.

11.    In order to enjoy good health, we need to consciously make changes to our lifestyle so that healthy living becomes our way of life. It is my firm belief that the simple changes we adopt can make a big difference towards better health and a better life.

12.    I wish everyone here an entertaining and exciting afternoon.

Thank you.