Hong Kong charity offers free diet advice and guidance for children with intellectual disabilities in low-income families
- Parents of children with intellectual disabilities are often tempted to overfeed them, risking a number of health issues
- Love21, a Hong Kong charity, is helping low-income families by offering dietary plans, cooking classes and medical checks
In Hong Kong, parents of children with intellectual disabilities often live with a feeling of guilt. They blame themselves for their child’s condition, explains one low-income, single mother who cares for a son with Down’s syndrome who is now in his 30s. Holding back tears, she says she didn’t want to share her name to protect him.
Hoping to somehow boost their child’s development and to show love, many such mothers overfeed their children, explains dietitian Sally Poon Shi-po. To make matters worse, the food choices available to low-income families are usually high in fat, salt and sugar.
In January this year, Love21, a charity that helps low-income families with children with Down’s syndrome and autism, launched a free programme that provides parents with guidance and education on a healthy diet for their children.
The Jockey Club Love Healthy Sport and Nutrition Programme is funded by the Jockey Club and helps 57 families.
