Taipei: Children who eat two bowls of dark green vegetables daily have a 30 percent lower risk of developing myopia compared to those who eat fewer or none, according to a year-long survey of more than 25,000 elementary school students across Taiwan. The survey highlighted significant correlations between dietary habits, outdoor activities, and vision health in children.

According to Focus Taiwan, the survey was conducted by the Cancer Care Foundation from February 2024 to January 2025. It gathered valid responses from students in grades 3 to 6 at over 800 schools in 10 cities and counties. The results underscored the importance of diet and outdoor activity in promoting children’s vision health.

The survey revealed that consuming two bowls of dark green vegetables, such as spinach and Chinese kale, daily was associated with a 30 percent reduced risk of myopia. Furthermore, children who engaged in outdoor activities for at least 120 minutes each day exhibited a 10 to 20 percent lower risk of developing myopia compared to those with less outdoor exposure.

Hualien and Taitung counties reported the lowest myopia rates, at 25.8 percent and 14.9 percent respectively. The study suggested that the abundant greenery in these areas might help children focus on distant objects more frequently, contributing to better vision health.

The research also indicated that the risk of myopia increases with age and that girls are 1.1 times more likely than boys to develop the condition. This disparity is partly attributed to girls entering puberty earlier, a period when the eyeball elongates rapidly.

Nationally, the myopia rate among schoolchildren has surpassed 40 percent, the survey showed, raising concerns about the growing prevalence of vision problems among young students.

Dietitian Hsu Pei-yu provided insights into the nutritional benefits of dark green vegetables, which include essential nutrients like lutein, zeaxanthin, beta-carotene, and vitamin C, all of which contribute to eye health. Hsu recommended a diet rich in kale, spinach, Chinese kale, garland chrysanthemum, choy sum, green chili, and green bell peppers. Additionally, she suggested including orange and red vegetables such as carrots and red or yellow peppers for further eye protection.

Hsu emphasized the importance of cooking vegetables with quality edible oils to enhance the absorption of key nutrients, providing a practical dietary strategy for reducing myopia risk in children.