Zanele Ngele

School-going children will have an opportunity to learn about the benefits of a healthy lifestyle at the Johannesburg Zoo, this week.

This is part of the National Nutrition Week that is running from October 9-5. To improve the nutrition knowledge for children, Nestlé South Africa together with the Department of Basic Education is making an initiative in raising health and wellness awareness as part of the Nestlé Kids programme.

“To ensure a healthier next generation, children’s consumption of key health contributors such as water, fruit and vegetables needs to increase,” said Naazneen Khan, nutrition health and wellness manager at Nestlé.

According to Khan, studies showed that changes in living standards and disposable income have drastically affected the eating habits of South Africans.

She said that with the research study conducted by Nestlê, this determines that South Africans’ attitudes towards nutrition, health and wellness reflect poor eating habits.

Other results showed that 55% of people surveyed say it is more important that food is satisfying, than how healthy it is.

With this free theatre, the Healthy Kids programme has been running since July 2012. The aim is to teach children about healthy eating habits and remind them to eat a variety of foods, say no to junk food, drink lots of water and exercise daily.

The next Healthy Kids programme will take place this Saturday and on Saturday November 3 at 10.30am, in the Education Centre at the Johannesburg Zoo.

For bookings phone 082 671 5530 or email nhw.nestle@za.nestle.com

zanelen@thenewage.co.za