TAIPEI (TVBS News) — As the frequency of eating out continues to soar among students in Taiwan, the number of overweight elementary and junior high students has continued to rise.
"I eat out basically from Monday to Friday. I go to cram schools on weekends, so I eat out on Saturdays and Sundays, too," said Kang Yo, a student in Taiwan.
If we look at the 2020 school year, 25.4% of students hit the overweight mark, and the obesity prevalence rate was 29.9%.
With fewer chances for outdoor activity and exercise during the pandemic, the health of youngsters across the country has been affected. And as students increasingly took classes from home during the pandemic, they tended to order more takeout foods.
"Some of my eating habits have changed. It could be due to me ordering takeout more, or the selection on food delivery platforms is generally not as healthy. So, compared to before, I feel like I am much less healthy," said Chen Ru, a Taiwanese student.
According to the Children Welfare League, eating takeout or out at restaurants is the main cause behind the younger generation's increasingly unbalanced diets.
Close to 35% of Taiwan's junior and senior high students say they eat out for dinner.
16.4% of students do not consume enough whole grains, 19.4% do not eat enough meat, fish, milk, or eggs, over 31% do not consume enough vegetables, and 64.4% do not eat enough fruit.
Students also said that they regularly order a drink along with their meal, and almost 80% say they may get something like bubble tea, or mixed tea, while 35% say they may get a soda drink.
Su Cheng-yu, a nutritionist suggests all to: "Focus on natural foods, such as fresh fruit, milk, yogurt, soymilk, granola bars, and tea eggs. These are all good choices. Parents can also help in preparing their children's food.
"When I pick the dishes, I will pick some more greens, or on some days, I will not consume any meat," said Kang Yo, a student in Taiwan.
The World Obesity Federation points out that in 10 years, over 10% of the Taiwanese population will have a BMI of over 30, and the risk of disease will increase for over 2.31 million people.
Nutritionists are reminding the public that ordering takeout foods is not a healthy nor sustainable option. They suggest visiting restaurants where they can pick their dishes with a balanced and varied mix of vegetables, proteins, and healthy grains whenever they order take-out foods.
This will be beneficial in maintaining a healthy diet.
Also, limit your intake of fried foods to ensure your diet benefits your health and personal development.
