Children in the UAE, Oman and Bahrain are being offered one free fruit or vegetable whenever they visit select LuLu Hypermarket outlets over two weeks through the “Adopt a Fruit, Adopt a Vegetable” initiative, the latest from United for Healthier Kids – a movement by Nestlé to create partnerships that help nurture healthier generations.
The initiative, which also includes year-round displays and dissemination of information on the benefits of fruits and vegetables, is a coming together of Nestlé Middle East and LuLu Hypermarket to advocate for the ‘More Fruits & Vegetables’ behavior called for by United for Healthier Kids. Other behaviors within the movement are MORE Movement, MORE Water, and MORE Managed Portions, which capitalize on the generosity of Arab culture and are scientifically proven* to positively impact the quality of life, especially if adopted at an early age.
“Nestlé is committed to promoting healthy diets and lifestyles, specifically among children and evidence and it has been observed that children who try new fruits and vegetables are likely to consume more of them,” said Yves Manghardt, Nestlé Middle East Chairman and CEO. “As the world’s Nutrition, Health and Wellness leader, we offer unique expertise to help tackle the diverse nutrition challenges facing people in the region, and we have the capacity and determination to contribute to nurturing healthier kids which can best be done through concerted collaboration.”
“Lulu stores provide the best platforms across the region for such a unique and informative outreach infused with fun for all our children," said Salim M.A., Director of Lulu Group and Global Procurement Head for Fruits and Vegetables. “We are very happy to partner with Nestlé Middle East on this initiative, which is very much in tune with our passion to play our role in promoting healthier children and happier societies.”
The More Fruits and Vegetables call will be brought to life through various characters created out of fruits and vegetables, with names and key benefits of each presented in a fun and appealing manner.
As part of Nestlé efforts to enable healthier and happier lives in children, Nestlé Middle East launched United for Healthier Kids in 2015 in partnership with various public and private sector entities, in the aim of helping parents establish healthier eating, drinking and lifestyle habits for children aged 4 to 12.
“United for Healthier Kids offers game-changing education and fun ideas to inspire action and influence behavior, using messaging interventions to gently nudge parents and their kids towards actions scientifically proven* to improve their health”, said Patricia El Chammas, Kids’ Programs Manager at Nestlé Middle East.
“We invite everybody to unite for healthier kids by joining the movement at www.U4HK-me.com, and to also download the Tummyfish App which encourages children to drink water more regularly,” concluded Patricia El Chammas, United for Healthier Kids Manager at Nestlé Middle East.
About United for Healthier Kids:
United for Healthier Kids (U4HK) is a pioneering, comprehensive and science-based program developed by Nestlé and built on partnerships among various entities with the aim of nurturing healthier generations. In the Middle East, United for Healthier Kids is launched in partnership with MBC Al Amal and the Arabian Radio Network to help parents establish healthier eating, drinking and lifestyle habits for children aged 4-12.
Through nutritional science and a deep understanding of the region’s parents and kids, Nestlé identified four behaviors that need to be brought into the everyday routines of children to ensure a healthier lifestyle: MORE Movement, MORE Water, MORE Fruits & Vegetables, and MORE Managed Portions.
To help parents to encourage their kids to drink MORE Water, United for Healthier Kids created a platform, Tummyfish mobile app that acts as a support for parents to ensure their kids lead a healthier lifestyle by drinking more water and less unhealthy drinks.
You can join the movement on www.U4HK-me.com, www.MBC.net/U4HK, Facebook.com/U4HKme, or Instagram: @U4HKme.
United for Healthier Kids invites everybody to unite for healthier kids, by becoming a member of the movement and signing up at www.U4HK-me.com.The website provides a wealth of tips and fun ideas to make adopting a healthy lifestyle enjoyable and easy for parents and kids.
People can also join the movement on Facebook.comU4HKme, or Instagram: @U4HKme.
More on United for Healthier Kids focus areas:
More Movement: Being active is not only important for health, but for children to develop their motor skills, decision-making, attention and teamwork abilities. Regular physical activity is part of a healthy lifestyle where any amount and any type of exercise are better than none.
More Water: Water is best for calorie-free hydration and controlling the body’s temperature – and is especially important for children who are physically active or live in hot climates. Parents should encourage children to drink adequate amounts of water.
More Fruits & Vegetables: Children should be encouraged to have a varied, nutrient-rich diet based on the different food groups. The United for Healthier Kids program emphasizes variety such as offering vegetables and fruits as snacks, in side dishes and incorporated into main meals.
More Managed Portions: Helping children select the right amount of food, in the correct proportions, instills healthier eating habits. United for Healthier Kids communicates age-appropriate portions to parents.
References:
http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs311/en/
For more information, please contact:
Lynn Al Khatib
Media Relations Manager, Nestlé Middle East
Email: [email protected]
Rima Taha
ASDA'A Burson-Marsteller
Tel: +971 (0) 4 4507 616
Email:[email protected]