Nestle supports good nutrition campaign

This regional initiative cements private sector partnerships with public and health entities to enhance parents understanding of the crucial role of healthy eating on child development

The Lebanese Association for Nutrition and Food Sciences (LANFS) is launching an initiative to help parents across the Middle East identify how healthy nutritional habits can be noticed, and directly reflected on a vast array of physical and intellectual traits - in an effort to encourage them to learn more about what their children should eat and drink.

"Good nutrition shows on kids and for parents, seeing is believing," said Dr. Nahla Hwalla, LANFS president and Dean of Agriculture and Food Sciences Faculty at the American University of Beirut.

The '10 Signs of Good Nutrition' campaign - conducted with the support of international nutritional reference Nestlé NIDO - "aims at raising awareness of tangible developmental results of maintaining balanced diets for children, especially during their crucial growing years," added Hwalla.

"We believe that by highlighting to parents 10 tangible signs of good nutrition, we are reassuring them that the efforts they spend on giving their children the best possible nutrition are effective."

The campaign comes at a time when the region is witnessing ever-growing unhealthy eating habits leaving children with unbalanced diets that lack a lot of essential ingredients from the five major food groups - Milk and Dairy Products, Meat & Legumes, Fruits, Vegetables, and Bread & Cereals.

"These unbalanced diets are leading to numerous malnutrition issues ranging from stunted growth to obesity, all of which have long-term and potentially permanent effects on a child's future physical, cognitive and overall well-being," explained Dr. Omar Obeid, Coordinator of the Nutrition and dietetic program at the American University of Beirut and Member of the LANFS executive committee.

Reflecting on the importance of teaming up with the private sector, "with the support of which we can spread our messages very far," Hwalla explained that the LANFS intends to collaborate with Nestlé NIDO® to deliver information on these key 10 signs to people across the Middle East.

"As the world's leading Food, Beverage, Nutrition, Health and Wellness organization - with a long history in the region and globally-renowned nutrition research and development expertise - we at Nestlé are always seeking partnerships that make a difference in our communities, and are very honored to be supporting the LANFS "10 signs of Good Nutrition" concept to promote good eating habits," said Karine Antoniades Turk, Market Nutritionist, Nestlé Middle East.

"Supporting such an initiative is very much in line with our goals to enhance nutritional awareness across the Middle East," added Bassam Falah, NIDO® Marketing Manager, Nestlé Middle East.

"We hope that delivering the 10 Signs messages will be boosted by the well established reputation of NIDO® for understanding and cherishing mothers' pure love, and providing children with premium quality nutritional essentials through cutting edge science."

Falah added that NIDO® plans to launch a number of activities to support the initiative, including training sessions on child nutrition for mothers across the Gulf and Levant regions.

In an effort to further enhance understanding of the topic, NIDO® will also provide information about the 10 Signs of Good Nutrition through its online expert panel at www.nidochild.com, where mothers can direct questions and receive tailored advice and guidance on the proper development of their children.

Outlined in brief, the 10 Signs of Good Nutrition to look for in a child are:
1. Healthy Growth;
2. Alert and Lively;
3. Physically Active;
4. Good Learner;
5. Good Appetite for a variety of foods;
6. Strong & Clean Teeth;
7. Good Posture;
8. Strong Bones & Muscles;
9. Sleeps uninterruptedly;
10. Regular Bowel Movement.

More information on each will be unveiled over the course of the campaign.

"We are counting on the support of the media, nutrition specialists, pediatricians and especially mothers to heed these signs and help us all collaborate on ensuring a healthier future for our children and our communities," concluded Hwalla.

*These signs are applicable to children from the age of one onwards