Nestlé Kenya has launched a public awareness campaign to increase healthy breakfast consumption and create awareness on the role it plays in alleviating deficiencies associated with malnutrition.
The #BrekoYaEverydayNi? campaign, targeting mothers with school-going children, will feature several popular lifestyle nutritionists who will educate consumers on the benefits of eating a healthy breakfast, components of a simple affordable balanced breakfast, and addressing disadvantages of skipping breakfast.
Our campaign will engage consumers in a series of online challenges and more than a hundred participants will stand the chance of winning prizes while learning about the benefits of a healthy and balanced breakfast, components of a simple affordable balanced breakfast, and addressing disadvantages of skipping breakfast with the #BrekoYaEverydayNi?
“Although the idea of “breakfast being the most important meal of the day” is widely known and understood amongst Kenyans, time constraint, and not having the right information on how to incorporate a variety of different food groups for a healthy breakfast, have led many to skip the meal. We are therefore launching this national conversation to give Kenyans practical, affordable, and real-life advice and breakfast meal plans, to keep their families healthy,” said Njeru Ng’entu, Managing Director, Nestlé East Africa.
Adding, “As a company committed to promoting Nutrition, Health, and Wellness, we are keen to tackle “Hidden Hunger”, which is caused by Micronutrient deficiencies, an issue that is highly prevalent in Kenya, especially among children under five and women of child-bearing age.”
Micronutrient deficiencies are responsible for many childhood deaths in the country and often co-occur with stunting and/or wasting. Such deficiencies weaken the immune system, leaving those affected vulnerable to disease. When left unresolved, micronutrient deficiencies may result in death.
According to the 2011 Kenya National Micronutrient Survey, children under five years are particularly affected by micronutrient deficiencies: with 9.2 percent Vitamin A deficient, 26.3% anemic, 21.3 % iron deficient, and 83.3 % zinc deficient. Statistics on adults are a challenge as well.
A growing body of research including the Ministry of Health’s National Guidelines for Healthy Diets and Physical Activity published in 2017, has shown the importance of a balanced breakfast in ensuring adequate nutrient intake in both children and adults.
The studies also indicate children and adults who regularly consume a balanced breakfast, generally have better overall dietary quality, and they tend to make better food choices throughout the day, eat more vegetables, fruit, and milk, whereas those who regularly skip breakfast, tend to snack more and choose high-fat snacks.
Habitual balanced breakfast consumption has also been consistently associated with other healthy lifestyles. Children and adults who do not consume breakfast, are more likely to be less physically active. They are also more likely to participate in unhealthy weight management practices. Thus, a balanced breakfast consumption has been shown to contribute to an overall healthy lifestyle according to the Ministry’s guidelines.
Nestlé Kenya’s Healthy Breakfast campaign is part of the company’s broader initiative to foster healthy lifestyles for its customers and secure a healthy future for the communities in which it operates.
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