Nestlé Nesquik Plus has launched a Nutrition Awareness Campaign, an educational campaign for parents concerning the importance of a regular daily intake of calcium amongst their children. The campaign stresses the recognised fact that the consumption of three glasses of milk a day provides children with the full RDA (Recommended Daily Allowance) of calcium as recommended by most child nutritionists.

The three-month campaign forms part of Nestlé’s continuous efforts to promote healthy eating lifestyles amongst children and adults alike and is being supported through the promotion of Nestlé’s Nesquik Plus Vitamins and Minerals.

“During their school years, children and adolescents experience great physical, psychological and social changes. To ensure that this development occurs normally, children and adolescents must increase their consumption of energy and particular nutrients,” says Nestlé Malta’s consulting nutritionist.

Obesity is a major social issue in our country where 35 per cent of school children aged seven to 11 are obese or overweight. This is the highest figure in Europe, followed by Sicily and Spain (IASO-EU Platform on Diet, Physical Activity and Health – Brussels 2005).

“A healthy diet is among the most essential ingredients to fuel every child’s emotional and physical growth. However, every parent knows that trying to feed children with green vegetables, fresh fruit and balanced healthy meals many times turns out to be a lost battle. Children are not interested in nutrition. They simply look for things that taste great and are fun to eat or drink. This makes it even more difficult to ensure that the growing child gets the essential vitamins and minerals,” added a Nestlé spokesperson.