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Tips on Healthy and Happy Diet shared at Sai Kung's CADENZA 18-District Programme

26 April 2009

Do you know there is a special set of body mass index (BMI) guidelines for the elderly? Do you know that many elderly suffer not only from weight gain but also weight loss? Do you know there are a lot of misconceptions about a healthy diet? With support from the Sai Kung District Council, the fourth CADENZA 18-District Programme took place in Metro City Plaza at Tseung Kwan O today (26 April), carrying the theme of "Healthy Lifestyle and Eating Happily". Guest speakers covered useful advice for the elderly and soon-to-be-old, such as the ideal BMI, tips for a healthy diet and suitable cooking methods.

Dr Mandy Sea, nutritionist from The Chinese University of Hong Kong, said it was easy for people to fall into "healthy food traps". Products such as high-fibre digestive biscuits and protein cakes were high in fat and sugar and were not healthy for the elderly. She also noted that loss of teeth and poor sense of taste and smell could cause the elderly to become overweight in time, as they would tend to put too much flavouring in their cooking or eat only soft food, such as fatty meat. Dr Sea provided tips to help this group of elderly people to enjoy food, for instance, by enriching the colour of dishes, offering easy-to-chew food like eggs or fish, and cutting food into smaller pieces. She also recommended family members to dine more frequently with elderly people to entice their appetites.

It is common knowledge that a person's health condition will be affected by being overweight or underweight, especially elderly people with chronic diseases. The death rate for underweight elderly people is six times higher than for those of normal weight at the same age. The BMI is a useful indicator through which the elderly can keep a close tab on their health conditions. A person aged 65 or above should have a BMI ranging from 22.5 to 25 while the waistlines for females and males should not exceed 35 and 40 inches respectively. Dr Sea also reminded the public not to overuse Chinese herbs such as preserved dates and dried yams which were rich in sugar, and dietary supplements which may have contaminated ingredients. Dr Sea also highlighted the loss of nutrients in double-boiled soup. The elderly were encouraged to consume soup ingredients along with boiled soup to increase their nutrient intake, and drink warm water to prevent coughing after eating ice cream. 

Another guest speaker, physical fitness instructor Forrest Yau from The Chinese University of Hong Kong, was joined by artistes Eric Suen, Rico Kwok and Colleen Lau in demonstrating some simple fitness exercises that could help prevent muscle loss.

Highlights of the programme will be broadcast on RTHK Radio 5's "Brilliant Life" at 4:00 pm on Friday 1 May.

The CADENZA 18-District Programme is a citywide public education initiative jointly organised by CADENZA: A Jockey Club Initiative for Seniors and RTHK Radio 5.  It aims to promote positive ageing and equip the soon-to-be-old with knowledge that can help them continue to live an active and positive life.  A monthly programme of public interactive events and activities is being organised in each of Hong Kong's 18 districts in turn, from January 2009 to June 2010.  Details of the programme are available at: www.rthk.org.hk/special/cadenza.

"CADENZA: A Jockey Club Initiative for Seniors" is a five-year project launched by The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust with a donation of HK$380 million in 2006.  The project aims at nurturing academic leadership in social gerontology and changing the mindset and attitude of the general public through a range of training and public education programmes.  Cross-sectional collaboration between organisations and the implementation of innovative elderly services and programmes are also encouraged in order to bring about a new mode of elderly care services to prepare for a rapidly ageing society.  Details of CADENZA are available at www.cadenza.hk.

Attachment

A Body Mass Index (BMI) calculator for elderly people and a sample Healthy Menu (available in Chinese only)

The Hong Kong Jockey Club's Executive Director, Charities, William Y Yiu (centre) explains the objective of the CADENZA 18-District Programme.  He says the Club hopes the programme will help promote positive ageing to Hong Kong people.
Photo 1:
The Hong Kong Jockey Club's Executive Director, Charities, William Y Yiu (centre) explains the objective of the CADENZA 18-District Programme. He says the Club hopes the programme will help promote positive ageing to Hong Kong people.

The Hong Kong Jockey Club's Executive Director, Charities, William Y Yiu (6th from right) presents souvenirs to guests of the event including Vice-Chairman of Social Service and the Healthy & Safe City Committee of Sai Kung District Council, Stanley Tam (6th from left); Centre Manager and Principal Nutritionist of the Centre for Nutritional Studies at The Chinese University of Hong Kong's School of Public Health, Dr Mandy Sea (4th from right); her colleague at the Centre for Nutritional Studies, Instructor Forrest Yau (5th from left); and guest artistes.
Photo 2:
The Hong Kong Jockey Club's Executive Director, Charities, William Y Yiu (6th from right) presents souvenirs to guests of the event including Vice-Chairman of Social Service and the Healthy & Safe City Committee of Sai Kung District Council, Stanley Tam (6th from left); Centre Manager and Principal Nutritionist of the Centre for Nutritional Studies at The Chinese University of Hong Kong's School of Public Health, Dr Mandy Sea (4th from right); her colleague at the Centre for Nutritional Studies, Instructor Forrest Yau (5th from left); and guest artistes.

Centre Manager and Principal Nutritionist of the Centre for Nutritional Studies at The Chinese University of Hong Kong's School of Public Health, Dr Mandy Sea (centre), explains how to identify
Photo 3:
Centre Manager and Principal Nutritionist of the Centre for Nutritional Studies at The Chinese University of Hong Kong's School of Public Health, Dr Mandy Sea (centre), explains how to identify "healthy food traps".

Photo 4/5 Through interactive games with artistes Eric Suen (1st from right), Colleen Lau (2nd from right) and Rico Kwok (2nd from left) as well as participants, Dr Sea shares some cooking tips to increase the appetite of the elderly.
Photo 4:
Photo 4/5
Through interactive games with artistes Eric Suen (1st from right), Colleen Lau (2nd from right) and Rico Kwok (2nd from left) as well as participants, Dr Sea shares some cooking tips to increase the appetite of the elderly.

Photo 4/5 Through interactive games with artistes Eric Suen (1st from right), Colleen Lau (2nd from right) and Rico Kwok (2nd from left) as well as participants, Dr Sea shares some cooking tips to increase the appetite of the elderly.
Photo 5

Photos 6/7/8 Members of the public learn how to measure their body mass index (BMI).
Photo 6:
Photos 6/7/8
Members of the public learn how to measure their body mass index (BMI).

Photos 6/7/8 Members of the public learn how to measure their body mass index (BMI).
Photo 7

Photos 6/7/8 Members of the public learn how to measure their body mass index (BMI).
Photo 8

Photos 9/10 Instructor of the Centre for Nutritional Studies at The Chinese University of Hong Kong's School of Public Health, Forrest Yau (first row 2nd from right), joins guests in demonstrating some simple fitness exercises that can help prevent muscle loss.
Photo 9:
Photos 9/10
Instructor of the Centre for Nutritional Studies at The Chinese University of Hong Kong's School of Public Health, Forrest Yau (first row 2nd from right), joins guests in demonstrating some simple fitness exercises that can help prevent muscle loss.

Photos 9/10 Instructor of the Centre for Nutritional Studies at The Chinese University of Hong Kong's School of Public Health, Forrest Yau (first row 2nd from right), joins guests in demonstrating some simple fitness exercises that can help prevent muscle loss.
Photo 10

 

 

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