British TV chef Jamie Oliver is not content at just nagging Britons to eat better: he has now called on the world - including South Africa - to change. Oliver has started a campaign to get G20 countries to ensure that schools teach children how to cook healthy meals.His webpage on the issue states: "We're currently facing a global obesity epidemic, with 42 million children under the age of five either overweight or obese across the world . So this year we're trying to get everyone to do a global petition for the right for every child ... to access practical cooking lessons at primary school [sic]."Oliver argues the G20, of which South Africa is a member, has an obligation to get involved because of the deadly diseases linked to obesity leading to loss of life."Obesity costs two trillion dollars globally each year," he says.Oliver's call has been welcomed here.Teacher union Naptosa's president, Basil Manuel, loves the idea. "We must have a real debate about bringing practical skills back into the academic curriculum," he says.University of Johannesburg education professor Elizabeth Henning says schools in Finland included cooking lessons."I am not going to look at the logistical challenges of teaching millions of kids to cook but it would be great. In cooking there is also science and maths application."If you see what kids bring to school in their lunch boxes, you would know that they need to learn the principles of healthy eating as well as healthy cooking," she says.Manuel adds that parents often tell him because they were poor as children and did not get to eat junk food. "They want to spoil their kids with junk snacks. I understand the sentiment but it is wrong."Dietician Robyn Rees encourages parents to involve their children in preparing lunch boxes."Age-appropriate involvement gives children more choice and responsibility for what they eat," she said.In 2012, the SA National Health and Nutritional survey found:About 22% of children aged between two and five are overweight or obese;In the homes of 33.9% of those aged 10 to 14 there is no food for breakfast;About 18.3% of children have no one to help them make lunch for school; andOne in four households goes to bed hungry...