The focus is on preventing child obesity

Every fourth Hungarian child in the 4-10 age group are overweight. It is high time we improved their eating habits – says Mónika Szilva, communications and marketing director of Nestlé Hungary.

She told our magazine that the company’s Nestlé Healthy Kids Programme – which in Hungary collects and coordinates all company activities for a more balanced diet and lifestyle of Hungarian children – has been launched in 80 countries all over the world. A recent survey conducted as part of the programme found that the eating habits of the parents and the family have great influence on the eating habits children develop. Not only healthy food, but also regular family meals and collective cooking are important. Ms Szilva added that making lasting positive dietary changes requires joining forces across the society, with the involvement of food industry and health organisations – this is the objective the Nestlé Healthy Kids Programme. Continuous dialogue is needed between stakeholders and this is why Nestlé Hungary was among the first companies to join the ‘Together for Consumers’ initiative of the Federation of Hungarian Food Industries (ÉFOSZ). Within the framework of this programme Nestlé Hungary made various pledges, from innovation to advertising, all of which aim at making consumers healthier. For instance the information indicated on Nestlé products can give consumers guidance on recommended daily intake and other important topics. Nestlé Healthy Kids Programme supports the ‘Alliance for Healthy Children’ initiative of 5 organisations, in which Nestlé Hungary helps to establish an allergy and obesity prevention centre in Pécs. In 2003 Nestlé Hungary and the Hungarian Dietetic Association (MDOSZ) started the Nutrikid education programme. Schools can use it free of charge to teach 10-12 year old children about eating right and doing exercise. In the last 12 years Nutrikid reached 85 percent of Hungarian primary schools, more than 430,000 pupils. This November MDOSZ launches its Children’s Health Programme (GYERE) in Szerencs too. In the 3-year programme all 2,259 children (everyone in the 0-18 age group) in Szerencs will participate. Parents, kindergartens and schools, paediatric nurses and the representatives of public service catering companies will be involved by the dieticians to educate children about a balanced diet and working out. In Szerencs, GYERE is implemented with support from the Healthy Kids Programme. (x)