Most young Singaporeans are either eating not enough fruit or vegetables, according to a survey by the Health Promotion Board (HPB).

The survey of Secondary One to Four students showed that 40 per cent of them eat at least two servings of fruit daily, while a slightly greater figure (46 per cent) eat at least two servings of vegetables daily.

The HPB's recommended dietary guideline, however, calls for two servings of fruit and two servings of vegetables daily - a guideline that only 24 per cent of students adhered to. The survey did not study the reasons for such dietary behaviour.

Realising the importance of inculcating good health-related habits from a young age, the HPB runs a number of programmes to meet this end, like the Fruittie Veggie Bites (FVB).

Designed for Primary school students, it rewards students who purchase fruit and vegetables in the school tuckshop with a card. Students then consolidate their cards as a class effort and the class with the highest fruit and vegetable intake wins a prize.

"Having a simple reward mechasnm is a way to encourage them to consume fruit and vegetables within the school setting," said Dr Wong Mun Loke, deputy director of HPB's youth health division.

"Hopefully, the dietary habits will be carried on into adulthood," said Dr Wong.

Since July 2007, about 82 primary schools in Singapore have adopted the FVB programme.