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A number of risk factors including obesity, insufficient consumption of fruits and vegetables, and lack of physical activities are responsible for the majority of chronic disease burden. Healthy behaviours should begin early in life with sustained actions, but in many countries there is no system addressing positive health. The opportunities offered by different settings for gaining entry into individuals and groups are of paramount importance for health promotion. Evidence has shown the effectiveness of the Healthy School model to improve healthy eating and physical activities. In this article we report key findings of studies in Hong Kong showing changes in school policies and environment in relationship to student health apart from improvement of health behaviours by adopting the Healthy School framework. A case study has illustrated how the framework created a supportive environment, policies changes, and personal health skills development to improve healthy eating. The Healthy School model can help to combat childhood obesity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The present study, conducted in Hong Kong, aimed to evaluate the effect of topical steroid in non-retractile prepubertal foreskin by a prospective, randomized, double-blind design. Material and methods: 137 boys with non-retractile foreskin were randomized to betamethasone (n = 66) or placebo (n = 71) for 4 weeks with application of the cream twice daily. Non-responders to treatment were offered steroid treatment for a further 4 weeks. Results: The mean pretreatment grade of the foreskin in the steroid and control groups was 5.08 ± 0.66 and 4.97 ± 0.70, respectively. At the 4-week follow-up, 49 of the former (74%) had a retractile foreskin (grade less than or equal to 3, mean 2.38 ± 1.41). In contrast, only 31 of the control group (44%) had a retractile foreskin (less than or equal to 3, mean 3.55 ± 1.55) (p < 0.001). Only 14 boys were circumcised because 43 of the remaining 57 boys had a retractile foreskin after 4 weeks of treatment. Conclusion: when treatment is necessary, application of topical steroid as a first line of treatment may avoid surgery in almost 90% of cases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]