Watsons survey reveals over 87% of children concerned about the threat of SARS

Watsons participates in "Mom, Baby and Family Health Expo" helping Hong Kong families to live healthier lives

Hong Kong (12 December 2003)

Following the SARS outbreak, health has not only become one of the top concerns of many Hong Kong adults but also children. A recent survey on children's health awareness and knowledge conducted by Watsons, the largest health and beauty retail chain in Asia, revealed that 87 percent of the 440 children surveyed were concerned about the threat of SARS.

The survey also revealed that 55 percent of the children interview had worries about their family members' health and over 60 percent believed that they could play a greater role in helping their family to live healthier lives.

"Our research shows children's health awareness is high, with over 90 percent of respondents washing their hands before eating and after going to the bathroom and after sneezing. In addition, their health knowledge is generally good. Over 68 percent of children were aware that smoking may increase the risk of heart disease and lung cancer." Margaret Lau, Watsons' Pharmacist Director said.

"As a major primary healthcare provider, Watsons has stepped up its role in addressing Hong Kong children's health needs by helping them to not only live healthier but happier lives. We also hope these children can apply their health knowledge to promote good health in their family." Ms. Lau added.

To support this aim, Watsons has been running its public health educational initiative "Pharmacy Self Care" programme since March 2002. The objective is to help Hong Kong citizens live healthier lives by providing factual and accurate health information and free pharmacist consultation to the general public through its stores.

Watsons has extended its programme beyond its extensive network of stores by participating in Hong Kong's first "Mom, Baby and Family Health Expo". At the expo, Watsons will offer a wide range of health tests, free consultations by pharmacists and health information to all member of the family.

The childrens' survey, conducted as part of the Health Expo, also provides some alarming insights. Although obesity in children has become a major health problem in Hong Kong due to a westernized lifestyle and diet, less than half (47.3 percent) of the children surveyed knew that obesity may increase the risk of heart disease.

In addition, answers to questions pertaining to healthy eating, which is an effective way to maintain a healthy body weight, showed only 25.5 percent of respondents believed that eating more vegetables is part of a healthy diet compared to 30.9 percent who chose to eat meat more often. Moreover, only 39.5 percent of children said fat, sugar and salt should be used sparingly.