China's national nutrition plan aims to improve public health

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By CGTN's Wei Diqi

The State Council Information Office has issued further information about the national nutrition plan for 2017-2030, which aims to improve nutrition and health across China.

The plan sets detailed goals for 2020 and 2030, including seven strategies which aim to ensure these goals are met and six significant actions targeting different groups of people.

Authorities aim to control anemia rates among children under five years old to below 12 percent, and reduce the anemia rates of pregnant women to under 15 percent.

They also aim to raise the breast-feeding rate among infants under six months old to 10 percent.

In addition, an aim is to downsize the gap between rural and urban students’ height, as well as control obesity rates among students.

Jin Xiaotao (R), Vice Minister of the National Health and Family Planning Commission said the Commission speaks to the media, July 19, 2017. /VCG Photo

Jin Xiaotao, Vice Minister of the National Health and Family Planning Commission said the body will strengthen the nutritional evaluation of pregnant women, promote the "first 1,000-day nutrition program," popularize nutrition and health knowledge to students and control their obesity problems.

Meanwhile, monitoring and assessment of the nutritional and health conditions of the elderly will also be established.

In poorer areas, the Commission aims to improve the regulation of food safety and preservation of common diseases associated with poverty.

Authorities should develop technologies to prevent nutrition-related diseases and stress the importance of nutritional agriculture products, especially organic, green and pollution-free food, Jin said.

Special programs should be launched to promote healthy lifestyles, especially the balance between food and exercise, he added.