Date of Release : June 26, 2003Back

Thrifty But Healthy Breakfast and Lunch Is Top Priority
Survey Tells How White-collars Survive Economic Stress and SARS

Hong Kong People are flexible and adaptive -- they have already developed a new strategy for breakfast and lunch in order to stay healthy in the midst of economic stress and SARS. According to a recent survey, over 70% white-collars who changed their food choices over the past year said it was important to maintain balanced and healthy diets for breakfast and lunch, while about 25% said they need to trim their meal expenditure, and 16% said they would skip lunch and shift to the cheaper afternoon tea menus instead.

The survey, known as "The Changing Eating Habits of White-collar Workers", was conducted by the Public Opinion Programme of the University of Hong Kong, from end of May to early June this year. With an objective to understand the eating habits of Hong Kong's white-collars under economic stress and SARS, the survey had successfully interviewed 511 white-collars aged 18-49 through telephone by random sampling. Dr Robert Chung announced the findings in today's press conference.

White-collars Have Become More Health-conscious As A Result Of SARS
The survey reveals that 58% of the white-collars experience higher job-related stress compared to a year ago. Also, 57% said they are paying more attention to healthy diet after SARS.

Most Restaurants Fail To Answer The Consumer Need For Healthy Diet
61% consider food provided at most restaurants is unhealthy, mainly because of being too greasy (71%). As many as 81% white-collars consider eating out too often would lead to health problems, especially high cholesterol (84%), overweight (81%), heart problem/high blood pressure (53%) and diabetes (52%). 56% white-collars consider healthy food choice when eating out is limited. Fortunately, as many as 79% express a willingness to change their eating habits for the sake of their health.

Health Risks In Relation To Existing Breakfast And Lunch Options
Over 70% white-collars consider their breakfast and lunch healthy (76% and 71% respectively). However, Ms Priscilla Lau, a registered dietician, said over 50% white-collars are eating low-fibre sliced loaf or rolls for breakfast, which is unhealthy. The food that they are eating regularly for breakfast including sandwiches, fried eggs, luncheon meat and sausages, contained a high level of saturated fat which is detrimental to heart health.

For lunch, 72% white-collars who eat out frequent at local tea restaurants (cha-chan-teng) or fast food stores. They enjoy eating high fat food including spare ribs, beef briskets, and chicken wings with skin -- all contained high saturated fat and are not healthy for the heart.

Ms Lau considered there is an unmet need for the white-collars. She appealed to cha-chan-teng and fast food stores to include healthy ingredients while designing the menu and preparing food. These include providing high fibre low fat food choices, using less oil when cooking meat (like avoiding deep fries, and not sprinkle oil onto the dish to make the food look glossy), and using low fat milk in drinks etc. These would make the food healthier and more appealing to the health conscious customers.

Keeping a healthy body will not cost a fortune if the right kind of food is chosen, as advised by Ms Lau. People should eat more soluble fibre food like oats and fruits, as they are rich in fibre which can help reduce cholesterol level and promote good, healthy hearts.

Functional Food That Can Effectively Reduce Cholesterol Level -- Oats
White-collars in Hong Kong are at high risk of overweight and developing heart diseases due to lack of exercise and regular intake of high-fat-low-fibre food. According to Ms Lau, high cholesterol is a risk factor for heart diseases. Studies have shown that if the cholesterol level is reduced by 10%, the chance of developing heart disease will be reduced by 30%.

According to the AHA Guideline (American Heart Association Guideline):

Ms Lau said that over 50 studies have confirmed that oats can effectively reduce cholesterol. That's why the FDA endorses intake of oats. According to a report issued by the FDA, 70 grams of oats can provide 3 grams of soluble fibre. Together with low fat, low cholesterol diets, oats can effectively reduce cholesterol and the risk of developing heart disease.

New Healthy Menu Offered By Market-sensitive Cha-chan-teng
Hong Kong people are looking for low priced menu, and some of them even skipped their lunch and shifted to the low-priced afternoon tea instead, according to Mr Chan, representative of Good Swamex Restaurant. The restaurant has moved the afternoon tea hours earlier to 2pm in order to capture the market opportunity. With the outbreak of SARS, people are getting more health conscious. Knowing that oats is a healthy food and can reduce cholesterol level, he takes no time in launching a new health-oriented breakfast menu that includes oats with egg white and oats with pork and mushroom, while they are using less oil in cooking.

Overall, the study reveals that white-collars are setting a higher standard for healthy diet under economic stress and SARS. Dr Chung advised that in order to prepare for the possible return of SARS, the white-collars have to be alert of their health condition. However, that does not mean that they have to rely on expensive health supplements. A healthy and balanced diet is more important.

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June 26, 2003

Media Contact: Dorothy Yung, Grey Healthcare
Tel: 2510 6765 / 9363 0084
Fax: 2510 8517