Nutrition Labelling and Children

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Nutrition Labelling and Children Adolescents
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Children and Adolescents

• Important stage of growth and development
• Adequate nutrients to meet the needs of growth
  and development
• Inadequate nutritional intake
• delay body growth/ development
• adversely affect mental development and learning
  abilities
• Excessive nutritional intake
• overweight/ obese
• increase risk of developing chronic diseases

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Balanced Diet

• Variety
• Appropriate amount

Food group Daily Intake Amount Daily Intake Amount Daily Intake Amount
Food group 6-12yrs 12-18yrs Adults
Cereals and Grains 3-4 Bowls 3-6 Bowls 3-6 Bowls
Vegetables 160-240g 240-320g 240-320g
Fruits 1-2 portions 2 portions 2-3 portions
Meat, Poultry, Fish, Dry Beans Eggs 120-200g 200-240g 200-240g
Dairy Products 480mL 480mL 240-480mL
Fat, Oil, Salts Sweets Eat less Eat less Eat less
Source of information Department of Health
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Principles of Healthy Eating

• Adopt 3 Low 1 High Healthy Eating Principles
• Choose food low in fat, sodium and sugars as well
  as high in dietary fibre

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Growth and Development

• Children and adolescents at stage of puberty
• Rapid growing
• Important stage of muscle, bone and teeth
  development
• Bone development occurs during childhood and
  adolescence
• The higher the density of the bones formed, the
  lower is the risk of developing osteoporosis
• Balanced diet
• E.g. choose food rich in calcium
• Get enough energy and protein

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Childhood Obesity

• Obesity has become more and more common in both
  developed and developing countries
• Affecting children/adolescent. The prevalence is
  on the rise
• Consequences/Impact of childhood obesity
• More likely to stay obese into adulthood
• Increase the risk of developing chronic diseases
  such as diabetes, high blood pressure and heart
  diseases at a younger age
• May have lower self-esteem and poorer body image

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Definition of Overweight (including
obesity) Weight gt median weight-for-height
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Source of information Department of Health
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Local Situation

• According to the Department of Health,

Prevalence of Overweight (including obesity) Prevalence of Overweight (including obesity)
1997/ 98 2007/ 08
Primary students About 1 in 6 About 1 in 5
Secondary students About 1 in 7.5 About 1 in 6
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Prevalence of Overweight (including obesity)
among Local Primary School Students
Source of information Department of Health
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Prevalence of Overweight (including obesity)
among Local Secondary School Students
Source of information Department of Health
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Causes of overweight/obesity in children/
adolescents

• Imbalance between energy consumed and energy
  expended
• eating too much food
• frequent intake of sugary and fatty foods as well
  as fast food
• Sedentary lifestyle
• lack of exercise
• watching TV and playing computer games as main
  activities
• Others diseases, medication, hereditary

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Energy and Body Weight

• Major sources of energy
• 1 g of fat 9 kilocalories
• 1 g of protein 4 kilocalories
• 1 g of carbohydrates 4 kilocalories
• 1 kilocalorie (kcal) 1 Calorie 4.2
  kilojoules (kJ)
• Unused energy will be stored as fat in the body

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Weight reduction/ Weight maintenance

• Weight reduction/ weight maintenance
• Adopt balanced diet. Follow the portion in Food
  Pyramid
• Cut down on foods that are high in energy, fat
  and/or sugars
• Increase the activity levels (e.g. sports)
• Make use of nutrition labels to make healthy food
  choices
• Choose food lower in energy, total fat and sugars

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Read and Use Nutrition Labels
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Examples of Recommended Format of Nutrition Label
Tabular format
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Examples of Recommended Format of Nutrition Label
Linear format (for small packages with total
surface area of less than 200 cm2)
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Required Nutrients on Nutrition Labels

• 17 (energy plus seven nutrients specified for
  labelling) i.e. energy, protein, total fat,
  saturated fat, trans fat, carbohydrates, sugars
  and sodium.
• Nutrient(s) involved in nutrition claim(s) (when
  the nutrition claim is on any type of fat, the
  amount of cholesterol must be declared as well).
• For other nutrients, declaration is voluntary

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Making Use of Nutrition Label

• Consumers can
• Compare the nutritional content among different
  foods for a healthier choice, e.g. choose food
  that is lower in fat, sodium (or salt) and
  sugars.
• Understand the nutritional content of food and
  estimate their contribution to the overall diet.
• To meet individuals dietary needs.

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Three Simple Steps to Read Nutrition Label
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Three Simple Steps to Read Nutrition Label

• Step 1 
• Take note of the reference amount of food being
  used in the nutrition label
• Step 2 
• Read the energy and nutrient content together
  with the reference amount
• Step 3 
• Refer to the percentage Nutrient Reference Value
  (NRV), if available, to see if the food contains
  a lot or a little of energy or a nutrient in the
  food

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Step 1 Take note of the reference amount of
food being used in the nutrition label

• Expressed as per 100 g (or per 100 mL) of food

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Step 1 Take note of the reference amount of
food being used in the nutrition label

• Expressed as per serving (the serving size (in g
  or mL) and the no. of servings must be specified
  on the package)

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Step 1 Take note of the reference amount of
food being used in the nutrition label

• Expressed as per package (if the package contains
  only a single serving )

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Step 2Read the energy and nutrient content
together with the reference amount

1. Use nutrition label to compare between products
2. Use nutrition label to calculate the amount of
   energy and nutrients you get from food

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Step 2AUse nutrition label to compare between
products

• Products with nutritional content expresssed in
  the SAME reference amount

If reference amount is the SAME, you CAN COMPARE
between the products DIRECTLY
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Step 2AUse nutrition label to compare between
products

• Products with nutritional content expresssed in
  DIFFERENT reference amounts

If reference amounts are DIFFERENT, you CANNOT
COMPARE between the products DIRECTLY
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Step 2AUse nutrition label to compare between
products

• Products with nutritional content expresssed in
  DIFFERENT reference amounts

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Step 2BUse nutrition label to calculate the
amount of energy and nutrients you get from food

• The more you eat, the more you get
• If you eat 1 serving of biscuit
• Get 8 g of fat, 3.5 g of saturated fat
• If you eat 2 servings of biscuit
• Get 16 g of fat, 7 g of saturated fat

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Step 2BUse nutrition label to calculate the
amount of energy and nutrients you get from food

• Energy and nutrient content expressed as per 100
  g/mL

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Step 3 Refer to the percentage Nutrient
Reference Value (NRV), if available, to see if
the food contains a lot or a little of energy or
a nutrient in the food

• NRV is usually on a scale from 0 to 100.

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Step 3 Refer to the percentage Nutrient
Reference Value (NRV), if available, to see if
the food contains a lot or a little of energy or
a nutrient in the food

• For nutrients that needed to limit their intake
• E.g. total fat, saturated fat, sodium and sugars
• Look for foods that have lower NRV
• Get enough of nutrients that are good for health
• E.g. dietary fibre
• Look for foods that have higher NRV

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Use Nutrition Label to Choose Prepackaged Food
for Children/Adolescents
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Nutrition Labelling is a Useful Tool for
Practising Healthy Eating

• Nutrition label and nutrition claim can help
  children/adolescents choose suitable prepackaged
  food in accordance with healthy eating principles
  and their own physical conditions, e.g.
• Choose food higher in calcium
• For weight control, choose food lower in energy,
  total fat and sugars

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How to Choose Prepackaged Food for
Children/Adolescents

• Use nutrition claim as a quick screening tool
  and
• Take three simple steps to read nutrition label

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How to Choose Prepackaged Food for
Children/Adolescents
The words below are considered as synonyms for
nutrition claims, they may help you choose food
with higher calcium
Claim Meaning of Claim
High Good source High source Rich in Plenty of A very significant amount of a particular nutrient found in the food
Source Contains With Provides Has A significant amount of a particular nutrient found in the food
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How to Choose Prepackaged Food for
Children/Adolescents
The words below are considered as synonyms for
nutrition claims. For weight control, they may
help you choose food with lower energy, fat, or
sugars
Claim Meaning of Claim
Free No Zero Without Does not contain Insignificant amount of a particular nutrient found in the food
Low Little Low source Few Contains a small amount of A small amount of nutrient found in the food
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How to Choose Prepackaged Food for
Children/Adolescents

• Three Simple Steps to Read Nutrition Label
• Step 1 
• Take note of the reference amount of food being
  used in the nutrition label
• Step 2 
• Read and compare the nutritional content
• Step 3 
• Refer to the percentage Nutrient Reference Value
  (NRV) (If available)

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How to Choose Prepackaged Food for
Children/Adolescents Example 1
Nutrition Information???? Nutrition Information????
Servings Per Package/??????????? 1 Servings Per Package/??????????? 1
Serving Size/???? 236mL/236?? Serving Size/???? 236mL/236??
Per Package ???
Energy/ ?? 156kcal/??
Protein/ ??? 7.8g/?
Total fat/ ??? 9.0g/?
- Saturated fat/ ???? 5.9g/?
- Trans fat/ ???? 0.2g/?
Carbohydrates/ ????? 11g/?
- Sugars/ ? 11g/?
Sodium/ ? 97mg/??
Calcium/ ? 114mg/??
Nutrition Information???? Nutrition Information????
Servings Per Package/??????????? 1 Servings Per Package/??????????? 1
Serving Size/???? 236mL/236?? Serving Size/???? 236mL/236??
Per Package ???
Energy/ ?? 84kcal/??
Protein/ ??? 8.5g/?
Total fat/ ??? 0.2g/?
- Saturated fat/ ???? 0.2g/?
- Trans fat/ ???? 0g/?
Carbohydrates/ ????? 12g/?
- Sugars/ ? 12g/?
Sodium/ ? 104mg/??
Calcium/ ? 156mg/??
Milk beverage A
Milk beverage B
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How to Choose Prepackaged Food for
Children/Adolescents Example 2
Corn flakes C
Corn flakes D
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How to Choose Prepackaged Food for
Children/Adolescents Example 3
Biscuit E

Biscuit F
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Healthy Snacks

• Healthy Snacks
• replenish the water and energy lost during daily
  activities
• Make up for those food groups and nutrients
  absent in main meals
• Tips for eating snacks
• - Snack between main meals. At least having
  1.5 - 2 hours between two intakes.
• - Snacks should be small in amount so as to
  avoid spoiling the appetite for the next main
  meal
• Choose more fresh and natural food
• For prepackaged food, choose those 3 Low
  products Lower in fat, sodium (salt) and sugars

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Compare the Pair (1)
Low sugars breakfast cereal Refined breakfast cereal with added sugars (e.g. Chocolate flavored corn flakes )
vs
Nutrition Information ???? Nutrition Information ????
Per 100 g ?100 ?
Energy/ ?? 380 kcal/??
Protein/ ??? 11.4g/?
Total fat/ ??? 2.2g/?
- Saturated fat/ ???? 0.5g/?
- Trans fat/ ???? 0g/?
Carbohydrates/ ????? 78.7g/?
- Sugars/ ? 1g/?
Sodium/ ? 6mg/??
Nutrition Information ???? Nutrition Information ????
Per 100 g ?100 ?
Energy/ ?? 403 kcal/??
Protein/ ??? 3.5g/?
Total fat/ ??? 4.2g/?
- Saturated fat/ ???? 3.7g/?
- Trans fat/ ???? 0g/?
Carbohydrates/ ????? 87.9g/?
- Sugars/ ? 44g/?
Sodium/ ? 541mg/??
Contain not more than 5 g of sugars per 100 g of
solid food
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Compare the Pair (2)
vs
Low fat Yogurt Ice cream
Contain not more than 3 g of total fat per 100 g
of solid food
Nutrition Information ???? Nutrition Information ????
  Per 100 g ?100 ?
Energy/ ?? 207 kcal/??
Protein/ ??? 3.5g/?
Total fat/ ??? 11g/?
- Saturated fat/ ???? 6.8g/?
Trans fat/ ???? Cholesterol/ ??? 1g/? 44mg/??
Carbohydrates/ ????? 23.6g/?
- Sugars/ ? 21.2g/?
Sodium/ ? 80mg/??
Calcium/ ? 128mg/??
Nutrition Information ???? Nutrition Information ????
  Per 100 g ?100 ?
Energy/ ?? 122 kcal/??
Protein/ ??? 5.4g/?
Total fat/ ??? 1.9g/?
- Saturated fat/ ???? 1.3g/?
Trans fat/ ???? Cholesterol/ ??? 0g/? 9mg/??
Carbohydrates/ ????? 20.8g/?
- Sugars/ ? 13.4g/?
Sodium/ ? 63mg/??
Calcium/ ? 210mg/??
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Compare the Pair (3)
vs
Raw peanuts Peanuts with salt
Nutrition Information ???? Nutrition Information ????
Per 100 g ?100 ?
Energy/ ?? 558 kcal/??
Protein/ ??? 24.7g/?
Total fat/ ??? 47.1g/?
- Saturated fat/ ???? 7g/?
- Trans fat/ ???? 0g/?
Carbohydrates/ ????? 8.9g/?
- Sugars/ ? 5.1g/?
Sodium/ ? 1mg/??
Nutrition Information ???? Nutrition Information ????
Per 100 g ?100 ?
Energy/ ?? 621 kcal/??
Protein/ ??? 24.4g/?
Total fat/ ??? 51.7g/?
- Saturated fat/ ???? 7.7g/?
- Trans fat/ ???? 0g/?
Carbohydrates/ ????? 14.4g/?
- Sugars/ ? 4.7g/?
Sodium/ ? 380mg/??
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Compare the Pair (4)
vs
High calcium soy milk Soft drink
Nutrition Information ???? Nutrition Information ????
  Per 100 mL ?100 ??
Energy/ ?? 41 kcal/??
Protein/ ??? 1.4g/?
Total fat/ ??? 1.5g/?
- Saturated fat/ ???? 0.2g/?
- Trans fat/ ???? 0g/?
Carbohydrates/ ????? 5.4g/?
- Sugars/ ? 5g/?
Sodium/ ? 95mg/??
Calcium/ ? 170mg/??
Nutrition Information ???? Nutrition Information ????
  Per 100 mL ?100??
Energy/ ?? 51 kcal/??
Protein/ ??? 0g/?
Total fat/ ??? 0g/?
- Saturated fat/ ???? 0g/?
- Trans fat/ ???? 0g/?
Carbohydrates/ ????? 13.3g/?
- Sugars/ ? 13.3g/?
Sodium/ ? 12mg/??
Calcium/ ? 5mg/??
Contain not less than 120 mg of calcium per 100
mL liquid food
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End