"Laki sa Gatas" sustains nutrition drive on 4th year

CEBU, Philippines - The first five years of a child’s life are the most demanding in terms of development. According to the 6th National Nutrition Survey conducted by the Food and Nutrition Research Institute of the Department of Health, four out of 10 children under five years old lack Vitamin A, four out of 10 children aged 6-10 years old lack iron, while one out of 10 children under 12 years old lack zinc.

The survey indicated that “malnutrition continues to be prevalent in the country especially among children five years and younger.”

This alarming situation is said to have fueled all the more the relevance of the health campaign initiated by Nestlé Philippines four years ago – the Laki sa Gatas Nutrition Education Advocacy.

In a statement, it was pointed out that malnutrition manifests in as much as 40 percent of children being underweight and over 60 percent below their proper height levels, among those belonging to the lower D and E socioeconomic classes, wherein deficiencies are most notable because of poor food choices and inadequate or total absence of milk intake.

Championing healthy dietary habits that include drinking milk and eating the right foods, the LSG program goes right to the heart of the public elementary school system nationwide to “drive home the crucial role of nutrition in achieving better school performance and bringing a bright future for children,” this was learned.

Through the said advocacy, Nestlé Philippines is able to target an environment where both teachers and parents can also learn about proper nutrition habits and be encouraged to promote them to their children.

Launched in 2006, the program has grown to become an annual multipronged advocacy which prioritizes the areas with low milk capita consumption.

“Teachers are encouraged to reinforce the health concept of Go, Grow and Glow foods, detect cases of malnutrition among their students, and instill in the parents the importance of their children being healthy so they can study well and participate in school activities,” this was reiterated during a press conference at the Mabolo Elementary School last October 21 graced by Dr. Elinor Tee-Roquel, executive liaison officer and advocacy consultant of MD Essentials; Nestlé representatives Rowena Mendoza and Elizabeth Januya, and LSG advocate/actress/2005 Miss International Precious Lara Quigaman.

Parents, meanwhile, attended a lecture carried out by nutritionist Cynthia Elisan on how to make the right food choices for their families without stretching their budget; and ensure that basic nutrients are made part of their children’s daily diet through, among other things, milk-drinking.

Further it was disclosed that now on its fourth year, the LSG program has visited more than 3,500 schools across the country and reached out to more than 1.8 million school children; 900,000 mothers, and 40,000 teachers.

“We have come a long way with this advocacy and are happy to have touched the lives of so many children, teachers, and parents. Much more needs to be done though, and we will be tirelessly pursuing our mission of reestablishing the importance of proper nutrition and milk-drinking habits among kids to help combat malnutrition, help them do well in school, and raise a generation of healthy Filipinos to benefit our country’s future,” said Jasmin Estacio, consumer marketing manager for Bear Brand.