Survey implications

Sylvia LamChairlady, Hong Kong Dietitian Association

Accredited Practicing Dietitian of the Dietitians Association of Australia

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Which one has the highest energy level (per 100g or ml)?

Energy levels ranking ( from highest to lowest)

1

350 kcal/100 g

2

310 kcal/100 g

3

130 kcal/100 g

4

48 kcal/100 mL

5

44 kcal/100 ml

6

37 kcal/100 ml

? “…100 mL soft drink has a higher energy level than a 100 g pineapple bun”

People in Hong Kong could not correctly estimate the energy levels of common foods and beverages

50% of people in Hong Kong do not know their energy needs

70% do not consider their energy needs before eating

? “…I know how many calories I need - 1,000 kcal per day”

Energy

• Energy supports and maintains the daily operation/metabolism of the human body1

• Energy requirements depend on age, gender, body weight and activity levels1

• Units of energy in food is depicted by kilocalories (kcal or cal) and kilojoules (kJ or Joule)

1. Centre for Food Safety (Available at: http://www.cfs.gov.hk/english/programme/programme_nifl/files/Energy_E.pdf)

Dietitian’s advice…..

Understanding the energy and nutrient information of the foods and beverages you eat can help you make

informed dietary choices and benefits weight management

Energy recommendations1,2

1. Chinese Nutrition Society (China) 2. Centre of Food Safety (Hong Kong)

Age

11 - 17 2,400 – 2,900 kcal

2,200 – 2,400 kcal

18 – 49 2,420 – 3,278 kcal

1,955 – 2,280kcal

Principles of weight management

Calorie out (physical activity)Calorie in (food intake)

44% said some foods and beverages cannot be part of a balanced diet

? “…a balanced diet means no ice-cream, potato chips, chocolate and soft drinks”

Position Statement (2007) of American Dietetic Association

All foods can fit within a healthy diet, if consumed in appropriate portion size and combined with regular physical activity.

“Energy balance is the key to weight management”- American Dietetic Association

* Excludes people with chronic diseases

70% misunderstand the principles of weight management

? “…Diet control is more important than exercise for weight management ”

Which of the following is the most effective way of weight management?

A. Controlling diet only (limit calorie intake)B. Increasing physical activities only (but no diet control)C. Controlling both diet and increasing physical activity

Controlling both diet and increasing physical activities

References：International Journal Obesity 1997;21:941–947Obesity Reviews 2009; 10, 313 – 323 International Journal Obesity 2005;29:1168–1174Exercise Sport Sciecne Review  2000;28:165–170

Weight management in Hong Kong: people focus too much on diet control

VS

VS

Weight management: diet control and exercise are equally important!!

43% said it’s hard to burn calories

? “…It’s hard to burn calories”

How to burn 140 kcal?

Half of a pineapple bun 330 mL soft drink

Walking upstairs: 20 minutes

Shopping: 1 hour and 5 minutes*

Basketball game: 20 minutes*

Burning calories is easier than you think

Examples of how to burn 140 kcal

* WebMD Fitness and Exercise Calorie Calculator. Based on the body weight of 120 lb

Physical activityguidelines for healthy adults under age 651

• Perform moderately intense cardio exercise for 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week. E.g brisk walking.

OR• Perform vigorously intense cardio exercise for 20 minutes a

day, 3 days a week, E.g. jogging.AND• Perform 8 to 10 groups of strength-training exercise,8 to 12

repetitions of each exercise, twice a week.

Moderate-intensity physical activity means working hard enough to raise your heart rate and break a sweat, yet still being able to carry on a conversation. 1. American College of Sports Medicine. Available at: http://www.acsm.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Home_Page&TEMPLATE=/CM/HTMLDisplay.cfm&CONTENTID=7764

About 90% of people in Hong Kong do not read the nutrition label on the back of pack of foods and beverages

? “…I don’t feel it’s necessary to read the nutrition label”

Everyone should read nutrition label before purchasing

3 simple steps to reading a nutrition label

1. Take note of the reference food amount in the nutrition label

Nutrient content is expressed in several ways:•Per 100 g or ml •Per serving•Per packaging

Source: Centre for Food Safety

2. Read and compare by using “per 100 g or ml”

Biscuit A Biscuit B

Source: Centre for Food Safety

3. Use “per serving” to calculate the energy and nutrient intake

Source: Centre for Food Safety

Milk A

Soup B

Corn flake C

Quick comparison in reading the nutrition label: “3 Low”

Sugar Fat Sodium

High sugars:15g per 100g or ml or above

High fat:20g per 100g or ml or above

High sodium:600mg per 100g or mlor above

Low sugar: No more than or equal to 5g per 100g or ml

Low fat: • not more than or

equal to 3g per 100g• not more than or

equal to 1.5g per 100ml

Low sodium: No more than or equal to 120 mg per 100 g or ml

Very low sodium: no more than or equal to 40mg per 100g or ml

Sugars free: No more than or equal to 0.5g per 100g or ml

Fat free: No more than or equal to 0.5g per 100g or ml

Sodium free: No more than or equal to 5mg per 100 g or ml

?57% of people do not know where to can find a qualified dietitians.

Find qualified dietitians at HKDA website:www.hkda.com.hk

Take Home Message…

• More public education is needed to improve understanding of energy and nutrition information

• Encourage people to read nutrition label before purchasing

• Food and beverage companies should provide factual and easy to read nutrition label for consumers to make informed dietary choice

Thank you!