Healthier Kids, Healthier Nation

In Pakistan, it is crucial to emphasize the importance of nutrition and to enhance our efforts towards addressing malnutrition challenges. According to the National Nutrition Survey (NNS) 2018 of Pakistan, 40.2% of children under the age of 5 suffer from stunted growth, while 18% are affected by wasting- both indicating high levels of micronutrient deficiency. Consequently, millions of children in Pakistan endure cognitive impairments, weakened immunity, and non-communicable diseases due to these micronutrient deficiencies.

Emphasizing the quality of diet and raising awareness about nutrition is crucial to help prevent stunting, wasting, and other forms of malnutrition. With the right nutrition at various stages of development it can be ensured that they survive and have healthy growth.

A good lifestyle can be promoted through the implementation of quality programs that encourage behavioral change. The private sector has a vital role to play in this endeavor, and Nestlé, being the world’s largest Nutrition, Health, and Wellness organization with a rich history of 150 years in nutritional science, takes this responsibility seriously.

In Pakistan, Nestlé is actively working to address this challenge by launching its flagship program: Nestlé for Healthier Kids (N4HK). Through this initiative, Nestlé aims to drive behavioral change and contribute to fostering healthier lifestyles among children in the country.

Introduced in Pakistan in 2010, the N4HK program stands as Nestlé’s worldwide nutritional awareness initiative, aiming to instill healthier consumption, and lifestyle practices amongst school-age children. This initiative empowers parents, teachers, and caregivers to play an active role in promoting healthier habits.

The N4HK program adopts a ‘train-the-trainer’ approach, where teachers receive specialized training to effectively nurture healthy behaviors among the children. Based on robust nutritional and behavioral science, the program follows a curriculum-based educational approach with the primary goal of encouraging the adoption of healthier habits among the young generation.

The N4HK program is designed to impart the importance of nutrition and physical activity to children, fostering habits that they carry into adulthood. Nestlé views this initiative as a way of giving back to the community and taking responsibility for promoting well-being.

In Pakistan, the N4HK program has made a significant impact, reaching out to over 320,000 children and providing training to more than 1750 teachers through 10 partners from both the private and public sectors. Recently, the program has further expanded its reach by partnering with the Government of Gilgit-Baltistan to promote nutrition awareness and sustainability education in the region. Through these efforts, Nestlé is making strides in nurturing healthier and more informed generations for a better future.

The N4HK program lays the groundwork for healthier eating habits in children by employing interactive learning activities and campaigns including healthy lunchbox contests, nutritious meal cooking workshops, and exciting online contests. These initiatives aim to promote nutritious choices through creativity and enjoyment.

As part of Nestlé’s proactive response during the pandemic, Nestlé Pakistan initiated an online Nestlé for Healthier Kids essay writing competition to actively involve the youth in a creative campaign. The overwhelming response from teachers, parents, and children to this initiative inspired Nestlé to launch the Drawing Contest in 2021 and the Essay Contest in 2022.

Both contests received an impressive level of participation, with more than a thousand entries pouring in from all of Pakistan. The enthusiastic engagement demonstrated the genuine interest and appreciation for these campaigns, highlighting the success of Nestlé’s efforts to promote healthier habits and nutritional awareness among the younger generation during challenging times.

In the future, the N4HK program aims to evolve and adapt to the digital landscape by introducing digitized self-learning modules. These modules will be designed to enhance and deepen nutrition knowledge among students, teachers, and parents. By providing easy access to free health education and valuable resources, the program aims to expand its outreach and impact on a larger scale.

Through this digital transformation, Nestlé envisions empowering individuals with the necessary information and tools to make informed and healthier choices. The digitized self-learning modules will open new opportunities for fostering healthy behaviors, ultimately contributing to a healthier and more knowledgeable society.

Nestlé for Healthier Kids sets a remarkable example for other organizations to emulate. Nutrition being a multi-stakeholder endeavor, serves as an exemplary representation of what is required in an era of interdependence: sharing responsibility and taking united action.

Hence, the program’s success lies in its collective action approach, working in collaboration with various educational partners to tackle the pressing nutrition challenge and create a brighter future for children. Joining forces with teachers, parents, and caregivers demonstrates the power of partnerships in promoting nutrition education and fostering healthier habits amongst the younger generation.

By coming together and acknowledging our collective responsibility, we can create a positive impact on society’s health and well-being. Everyone’s contribution, no matter how small, plays a significant role in achieving a healthier and happier future for all. Let us all take these crucial steps, united in our commitment to better nutrition and overall wellness.