Shanghai education authorities are considering banning school canteens that sell junk food and soda.

It's part of a move to improve nutrition at schools and to cut down on obesity and bad diets.

Late this year or early next year authorities want to issue guidelines for nutrition at schools to cover calorie intake, cooking methods and school lunches.

"Research has found that most students suffering from obesity have an unhealthy lifestyle and unbalanced nutrition. As well as looking at food safety, our key work next year is to improve nutrition for students and change their eating habits," said Liu Yanyan from the Shanghai Education Committee's physical education and health department. "Schools will have to teach proper nutrition to students and their parents."

Some 250 experts, government officials and business representatives from 10 provinces and cities participated in a forum in Shanghai yesterday focusing on how to create healthier environments for work, study and play.

Shanghai Airlines has a project aimed at making healthy aircraft - where planes are checked for air quality, water quality and insect infestation.

(Shanghai Daily September 25, 2007)