13,000 public schools taught proper nutrition and Healthy Habits under Nestle Wellness Campus program in SY 2018-2019
Nestle Philippines reported a 15% increase in nutrition knowledge among students in 13,000 schools nationwide following the SY 2018-2019 implementation of the Nestle Wellness Campus program. This is a continuing joint initiative with the Department of Education (DepEd).
Now on its seventh year, the program so far has reached over 200,000 teachers, 7.8 million students and 4.7 million parents nationwide. Nestle Wellness Campus is a nutrition education activity in Philippine public schools which is embedded in DepEd’s Music, Arts, Physical Education and Health (MAPEH) curriculum.
Currently widely implemented in the National Capital Region, CALABARZON, Bicol and Central Visayas regions. The program imparts to grades 1 to 10 public school students and their parents the importance of choosing healthier food and drink options. Also the importance of engaging in physical activities and family mealtimes to promote healthy habits among students.
Nestle Wellness Campus Laguna Awarding
Apart from nutrition education for students, custom dance exercises became part of the school routine. Some notable examples include providing more nutritious options in their cafeterias, or starting school gardens.
Seeing the results
Studies on the program showed 100% application of the program’s expanded nutrition modules among students and parents following implementation. These were based on Nestle’s Healthy Habits. This includes: choosing nutritious and varied options, portion management, drinking water, active play, and enjoying meals together.
Students showed a marked improvement in their nutrition behavior choosing to eat healthier food and increasing water intake. Best of all, parents responded that they began preparing healthier meals for their families at home. This is guided by the Food and Nutrition Research Institute (FNRI)’s Pinggang Pinoy.
What the future looks like
“Our dream is to encourage more and more Filipino children and their families to lead happier and healthier lives through proper nutrition. Over the last seven years, we are proud of the inroads that the Nestle Wellness Campus program has achieved in moving the needle in the right direction among students and their parents,” said Nestle’s Corporate Affairs Director Ernie Mascenon.
“We are working with our partners at the Department of Education to expand the program to more areas as we work join forces with other like-minded organizations to help alleviate malnutrition.”
The Nestle Wellness Campus is a banner program under the larger corporate Nestle for Healthier Kids (N4HK). This is an initiative which aims to help 50 million children across the globe lead healthier lives by 2030. Learn more by clicking on their website at: https://www.nestleclub.com.ph
Press release from Ogilvy
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