Fiji's Health Ministry on Sunday highlighted the importance of school children's diet, saying the government has decided to watch children's diet in schools for the safety of their health. The start of Fiji's 2011 school year from Tuesday presents a challenge for parents in Fiji to fill lunch boxes with healthy and safe food.

Fiji's Health Ministry spokesman, Peni Namotu said, "School lunches can be time-consuming to prepare and so unhealthy pre-packaged snack foods are often used as a fall back." He added this type of food can be high in fat and sugar, which contributes to childhood obesity, doesn't provide essential nutrients and makes it hard for children to establish lifelong healthy eating habits. Children in Fiji, just like adults, are not eating enough fruit and vegetables every day.

Namotu said Fiji's Health Ministry will monitor school canteens to ensure students are given healthy food, while calling on parents to make sure their children have a healthy breakfast before going to school.

Studies by United Nations Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) has established there was a definite relationship between nutrition and educational achievements, saying it was found that malnourished children seriously lacked the ability to realize their potential for growth and development, both physically and mentally.

Fiji is ranked the fourth-most obese nation in the region. Recent studies in Fiji showed a high incidence of anemia in children, women and men. Sixty percent of Fiji's population remains overweight and most of these problems are caused by poor dietary choices.