UE Presentation “Over dependence on fast food is creating a generation of overweight, unfit young people.” Do you agree that the impact of McDonald’s, KFC, and Café de Coral has been negative, or do these places serve a useful purpose in the fast paced life of the 21st century?

What is obesity? A person is considered obese if his BMI (body mass index) is greater than 23.0 BMI = Weight (kg)/ height x height (m) <19 underweight Normal weight Over weight >35 Extreme overweight

Current situation

Fact about Obesity among Hong Kong young people The statistics of the Department of Health revealed that: out of every 5 primary school children is obese -2. obesity rate of primary school students has increased by 3% from 1997 to 2005

Among students who attended the Student Health Service 1. Overweight primary students increased from 15.9% to 18.7% from 1997 to Overweight secondary students increased from 13.2% to 15.8% from 1997 to 2004  Overweight problem is getting more serious and has an increasing trend

According to the AC Nielsen survey: -Hong Kong has the greatest market percentage of population that eats at fast food restaurants at least once a week  This shows that Hong Kong hungers for fast food

How fast food causing obesity in Hong Kong? Findings from Natural Journal: Trans-fat (usually found in fast food) making people nearly one-third fatter than other fats that contain the same caloric content

Fast food usually contains high sugar and salt content Fast food industry uses a lot of oil during the production of food

The movie ‘Super Size Me’ illustrated that how fast food causing obesity

In the movie, Morgan Spurlock - dined at McDonald's restaurants three times per day - sampling every item on the chain's menu at least once - consumed an average of 5,000 calories per day during the experiment. for 30 days

There are regulations during the experiment He must fully eat three McDonald's meals per day. He must eat every item on the McDonald's menu at least once He must only ingest items on the menu. (including bottled water) He must eat a McDonald's salad every tenth meal. He must maximize his meal He must only walk 5,000 steps per day.

After 30 days Spurlock gained 24.5 pounds Body fat increased by 7% having other physical and mental problems

Problems caused by fast food Mental problems: -moody, depressed and exhausted -Physical problems: heart failure, heat disease, diabetes, high blood pressure

The movie showed that the problem of obesity is strongly related to the popularity of fast food Mc Donald’s and KFC has more than 100 and about 70 branches in Hong Kong respectively So it is believed that the overweight problem among young people is strongly related to the popularity of fast food in Hong Kong

Other factors causing child obesity in HK Genetic factors Energy imbalance Junk food Lack of exercise Schools do not provide enough Physical Education lesson

Findings Mr. Joul, owner of a French fast food restaurant in Central said that - Although fast food industry does create overweight problem in HK - It also brings positive impact to HK  HK people have a fast-paced life, it is convenient for people who are in rush  People can get a meal in a short time  Provide many job opportunities for people (esp. teenagers) to work and minimizes social problems (unemployment)

He noticed that  increasing demand for healthy and quality food from Hong Kong people  Fast food industry is providing healthier food to customers now  He is using less oil, salt and fewer calories in his product