NESTLÉ Malaysia is marking a milestone in its efforts to foster healthier eating habits among schoolchildren, with its Nestlé for Healthier Kids (N4HK) programme reaching a significant 14th year.
Launched as a collaboration with the Education Ministry and the Nutrition Society of Malaysia (NSM), N4HK has already made a positive impact in schools nationwide.
Now, with a new initiative aimed squarely at parents, the programme is expanding its reach through a Parent Engagement Programme (N4HK PARENPRO), which was recently launched at SK Kepong Baru.
The goal of this pilot initiative is to bridge the gap in nutrition knowledge among parents, recognising that their influence plays a crucial role in shaping the eating habits of children.
By empowering parents with the tools and knowledge needed to make healthier food choices, Nestlé hopes to spark a long-term change that will benefit both children and their families for generations to come.
TIMELY INITIATIVE
This new phase of N4HK is part of Nestlé's broader global commitment to empower 50 million children worldwide to live healthier lives by 2030.
It also aligns with its "Good For You" strategy, which aims to make tasty and balanced diets accessible to billions of people worldwide, both today and in the future.
The timing of N4HK PARENPRO is particularly significant. The Malaysian Dietary Guidelines for Children & Adolescents 2023, issued by the Health Ministry, highlight the importance of parents setting a healthy example by practising good nutrition themselves.
Despite children's increasing awareness of healthy eating, research shows that this knowledge often doesn't translate into action at home.
As such, N4HK PARENPRO seeks to provide parents with practical knowledge and support to help close this gap.
Nestlé (Malaysia) Bhd group corporate nutrition manager Wong Mei Ching acknowledged the challenges that Malaysian children face when it comes to nutrition.
"Poor nutrition is among the key factors contributing to malnutrition issues in Malaysian children, including overnutrition, undernutrition and micronutrient deficiencies.
"By providing support and guidance for parents, we aim to help them make better nutritional choices, which will have a lasting impact on the health of their families.
N4HK PARENPRO is designed to equip families with the knowledge and tools they need to support their children's development through balanced nutrition and healthier lifestyles," she said.
Meanwhile, NSM president Associate Professor Dr Mahenderan Appukutty welcomed the expansion of the N4HK programme to include parental engagement.
"This is a crucial step in enhancing nutrition education in Malaysia. By bridging the gap between what children learn in school and what they experience at home, this initiative has the potential to foster long-term, positive changes in eating habits," he said.
He added that the society is excited about this holistic approach and is looking forward to seeing how it will contribute to building healthier eating habits in Malaysian communities.
JOY OF COOKING TOGETHER
The inaugural N4HK PARENPRO event saw more than 100 parents and children participating in a series of engaging and interactive activities.
A standout moment of the day was the "Together in the Kitchen" session, where local influencer and celebrity Noor Nabila, alongside son Jebat Jayden, led a cooking demonstration.
Together, they showed how easy it is to prepare a simple, nutritious and delicious meal that families can make together.
Adding to the event's appeal, nutritionist Afiqah Kahar shared practical advice on how to incorporate more fruits and vegetables into daily meals.
The day culminated in a lively cooking competition, where 10 parent-child pairs competed to create nutritionally balanced bento boxes, turning meal prep into a fun family activity.
The event also featured group activities, where participants could learn about meal planning using the Malaysian Healthy Plate model.
These sessions provided practical solutions for common challenges that parents face when feeding their children, such as fussy eating habits or busy schedules.
A professional chef from the Professional Culinaire Association also led a cooking demonstration in honour of International Chefs Day last month, further inspiring families to explore the joys of cooking at home.
SOLID FOUNDATION
For the children, there were interactive games and activities designed to reinforce their knowledge in the Malaysian Food Pyramid and the Healthy Plate guide produced by the Health Ministry.
In addition, a creative food decoration workshop allowed them to have fun while learning about nutrition.
As one of the longest-running nutrition education programmes in Malaysia's primary schools, N4HK has already benefited over 149,000 schoolchildren since its inception in 2010.
Thanks to its strong partnerships with the Education Ministry and NSM, the programme has been instrumental in instilling healthy eating habits and promoting nutrition education in classrooms.
By extending its reach to families, N4HK is continuing to make meaningful strides in shaping a healthier future for Malaysia, one that's built on the foundations of good nutrition, stronger family bonds and healthier communities.