Healthy meals, exercise to prevent obesity among children- Health Min.

The Ministry of Health Nutrition & Indigenous Medicine intends to implement a programme to introduce healthy eating habits among schoolchildren, to prevent obesity among them.

Health Minister Rajitha Senaratne said last week, the decision was reached following a request made by the Education Minister to introduce a programme that will encourage schoolchildren eat healthy meals and increase physical activities to keep them healthy.

Health Ministry statistics reveal that 59% of deaths are caused by non- communicable diseases including heart diseases, diabetics, high blood pressure and cancers. "Most of them are under 60 years of age," he said.

The Health Minister said that, to combat the problem, schoolchildren will be targeted and educated on consuming healthy meals.

Also, he said that, fast food stalls and eating places within 100 meters of the schools will be targeted, and encouraged to serve healthy food.