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Some Parents of elementary schoolchildren in the capital are finding it almost impossible to stop their children from indulging in snack binges at school canteens to satisfy their hunger.

Narwastin told the Jakarta Globe that her nine-year-o l d son often skips lunch or dinner because he is no longer hungry after eating junk food snacks.

“He loves the popsicles, chips and sweet tea sold in school canteens. He doesn’t feel hungry for hours after that,” Narwastin said.

She said she found it difficult to change her son’s eating habits by getting him to “pick the right food” because she believes he is only following his school friends.

“It’s hard as he interacts with his friends everyday. All I can do is limit his pocket allowance,” she said, adding that she often provides him with noodles and eggs, or rice with beef and vegetable soup, bread with peanut butter and fried bananas. Narwastin added that she gives him Rp 4,000 per day for his canteen snacks.

“Getting him to take a home-cooked meal to school is one method to train him,” she said. “I don’t mind if he doesn’t finish the meal. I just want him to learn that he has healthier and more hygienic choices.”

Yoga Devaera, a pediatrician from Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital in Central Jakarta, said that foods rich in sugar reduced a child’s appetite.

“As parents, we have to control what they eat,” Yoga said, adding that the syrupy drinks sold in school canteens could very well contain dangerous food coloring additives.

She said that uncontrolled snacking habits could lead to obesity and other health problems.

“Eating properly is related to family eating habits,” she said, adding that families should have breakfast and dinner together.