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By Ijeoma UKAZU
A healthy balanced diet, drinking lots of water, exercising at least 60 minutes a day, and getting plenty of sleep at least 9 hours each night are some of the lifestyle changes children need to grow healthy.
According to a research journal, the National Library of Medicine, a healthy diet is one of the key elements to ensure proper growth during childhood. However, at present, it is abundantly evident that most children have unhealthy dietary habits, mainly because they do not eat fruit and vegetables in sufficient quantities while consuming excessively high-fat snacks and high-sugar foods and beverages.
The scientific literature warns of the negative impact of such eating patterns, particularly low fruit and vegetable intakes, which are associated with obesity and chronic severe diseases, such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and cancer.
Additionally, eating sweet candy and cake, as well as drinking soft drinks regularly, are identified as risk factors for obesity and early childhood caries also known as baby bottle tooth decay, two related health problems affecting children worldwide.
With this in mind, Nestlé Nigeria organized a nutrition quiz competition designed to help children imbibe nutrition lifestyle habits they learned in class. The aim is to enable children to know and practice the habits for a healthier future.
The program which was carried out through the Nestlé for Healthier Kids, N4HK, had the participation of 60 children across the 30 N4HK schools.
The nutrition quiz competition which is in its fourth season was organized in collaboration with the Nutrition Society of Nigeria and assessed the children’s knowledge of healthy nutrition, healthy hydration, and an active lifestyle while enhancing recall and retention of in-class lessons under the Nestlé for Healthier Kids initiative.
Twenty schools from the three senatorial districts competed for the first prize in Ogun State, with Sokoya Memorial Wesley School Sagamu, emerging as the winner. UBE Primary School Pasali, Abuja took home the first prize among the ten schools from the six area councils who competed in the FCT.
The winners were rewarded with exciting prizes including sports gear for the teams, computers, and sporting equipment for their schools.
The Corporate Communications and Public Affairs Manager, Nestlé Nigeria, Mrs. Victoria Uwadoka, said, “The Nutrition Quiz competition helps us to evaluate the impact of the lessons on the children, as it deepens their retention of the in-class lessons. As always, the performance of the children is impressive. I commend the educators who teach them the lessons and help them to retain the lessons through demonstrations and other fun exercises.
“I would also like to recognize the contributions of our program partners including the Nutrition Society of Nigeria, Federal Ministry of Education, Federal Ministry of Health, FCT Universal Basic Education Board, UBEB, and, Ogun State Universal Basic Education Board, SUBEB, for their continued commitment to raising a healthier generation.”
While commending the program and the impact of N4HK, the Chairman of, the Nutrition Society of Nigeria, FCT Chapter, Major Edith Nwachinemerem (Rtd) said. “The Nutrition Society of Nigeria appreciates the partnership with Nestlé Nigeria to address the need for nutrition education in early life. The Nestlé for Healthier Kids program helps to establish a good foundation for healthy eating habits and provides nutritional knowledge that a child can apply throughout life.”
Nwachinemerem added, “I am delighted with the performance of the children through the various stages of the competition and applaud the winning schools for a job well done.”
Khadijat Ibrahim, a primary five pupil who represented Sokoya Memorial Wesley School Sagamu in the Ogun State finals expressed her excitement, “I am so excited at winning the first position in this competition as I put a lot of effort into preparing for it. I want to thank God, my parents, and my teachers. I am so happy that I have made them proud. I really enjoyed the N4HK lessons, particularly on good nutrition and healthy lifestyles.”
For Khadijat’s teacher, Ganiyat Odulele, winning the first prize was an ambition achieved, stating that, “After last year’s competition, I determined that children from my school, Sokoya Memorial, will come out tops this year. This win has made the months of preparation for the competition worth it. The N4HK program has not only been beneficial to the children but also to us the teachers. The annual teacher’s training has equipped us with relevant healthy lifestyle information that we also implement in our homes.”
Other winners include; Local Government Primary School, Igere Ogun State took second place. Jiwa Primary School, FCT, Abuja took second place, while in third place position, two schools came top; Oke Ona United Primary School, Abeokuta, Ogun State, and Science Primary School, Abaji, Abuja came third.
Commenting, the chairman of Ogun State Universal Basic Education Board, Dr Femi Majekodunmi, who was represented by Mrs. Jokotade Agbatiogun, Director of Social Mobilization, Ogun State Universal Basic Education Board said, “The annual quiz competition is a platform for evaluating the learners’ knowledge of the Nestlé for Healthier Kids program. We are very proud of all the learners who participated in this competition as they have shown great passion and knowledge through the different stages.
“I applaud the winners for their hard work as well as the teachers for their zeal and commitment to the program. Let me use this opportunity to acknowledge the program sponsor, Nestlé Nigeria, for her numerous and worthwhile programs and projects within our schools which is in line with the vision of the Prince Dapo Abiodun agenda geared towards Public Private Partnership. I commend the company’s effort in promoting educational development and consistent investment in the welfare and health of Ogun State children.”
Also speaking, the Deputy Director, of Basic Education, Federal Ministry of Education, Mrs. Josephine Nwabiora, said competitions such as this encourage fun learning, promote constructive dialogue among participants and enhance general knowledge on diverse topics. I applaud Nestlé Nigeria for her support for the educational sector and for incorporating this exciting approach to learning, under her Nestlé for Healthier Kids, school-based nutrition educational program.”
Nestlé for Healthier Kids, N4HK, is a global flagship initiative that aims to help 50 million children globally, lead healthier lives by 2030 as the company continues to make progress on its commitment to unlocking the power of food to enhance the quality of life for everyone today and for future generations.
The school-based program in Nigeria supports the company’s commitment by raising awareness of the benefits of healthy nutrition and an active lifestyle. Over 8,000 primary five children in the beneficiary public schools are reached annually, through the Nestlé for Healthier Kids program.
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