MalaysianUpdates

Tag: #NutritionEducation

  • Nestlé Marks 15th Anniversary of Healthier Kids Program, Benefiting 220,000 Children

    Nestlé Marks 15th Anniversary of Healthier Kids Program, Benefiting 220,000 Children

    Nestlé For Healthier Kids (N4HK) recently celebrated its 15th anniversary at Sekolah Kebangsaan Jalan Empat in Bandar Baru Bangi, marking a significant milestone for one of Malaysia’s longest-running school nutrition education programmes. The event brought together representatives from the Ministry of Education Malaysia (MOE), the Nutrition Society of Malaysia (NSM), teachers, parents, and students, highlighting the enduring partnerships that have strengthened the programme’s impact over the years. Since its inception in 2010, N4HK has reached over 220,000 students across 865 schools nationwide, educating children aged seven to twelve on balanced nutrition, physical activity, and hygiene through interactive sessions led by registered nutritionists. Looking ahead, the programme aims to extend its reach to 500,000 primary school students by 2030, furthering its mission to instill lifelong healthy habits among young Malaysians.

    Beyond school-based education, N4HK engages parents and caregivers through its PARENPRO initiative, ensuring that nutrition knowledge is reinforced at home. By combining classroom learning with parental involvement, the programme translates nutrition education into practical, everyday practices, such as meal planning, portion control, and enjoyable activities that foster healthier eating habits. YM Raja Nurmaria Murni, Executive Director of Group Corporate Affairs at Nestlé Malaysia, emphasized that the 15-year milestone reflects the programme’s success in benefiting children, parents, and educators alike, while reaffirming Nestlé’s commitment to expanding its reach and strengthening parent-focused initiatives under PARENPRO.

    Highlighting the ongoing nutritional challenges in Malaysia, Ms Wong Mei Ching, Group Corporate Nutrition Manager at Nestlé Malaysia, pointed out the triple burden of malnutrition—undernutrition, overnutrition, and micronutrient deficiencies—that continues to affect the population. National studies reveal that over 90 percent of adults and children fail to consume adequate fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, while deficiencies in calcium, vitamin D, and dietary fibre remain prevalent. N4HK addresses these gaps by equipping parents with practical guidance and resources to promote healthier diets and lifestyle habits from an early age.

    Professor Dr. Mahenderan Appukutty, President of the Nutrition Society of Malaysia, underscored the value of the 15-year collaboration between NSM, Nestlé, and the Ministry of Education, highlighting how combining scientific knowledge with hands-on learning empowers children to adopt balanced eating and active living practices. The anniversary celebration featured a variety of engaging activities for both parents and children, including nutrition talks, interactive workshops such as “Build Your Healthy Plate” and “Smart Swaps for Healthier Choices,” as well as fun sessions like aerobics, games, and burger-making activities, reflecting N4HK’s focus on making health education both enjoyable and practical.

    Aligned with Nestlé’s global ambition to help 50 million primary school children lead healthier lives by 2030, N4HK continues to deliver meaningful, long-term impact. By promoting better nutrition, physical activity, and health awareness, the programme contributes to the development of healthier families and communities across Malaysia, ensuring that the next generation grows up with the knowledge and habits needed for lifelong wellbeing.

  • Herbalife and UiTM Join Forces to Promote Nutrition and Wellness in Malaysia

    Herbalife and UiTM Join Forces to Promote Nutrition and Wellness in Malaysia

    Herbalife has renewed its partnership with Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), continuing a collaboration that first began in 2022. The renewed Memorandum of Understanding, signed at UiTM Shah Alam, highlights the shared commitment of both organisations to advance nutrition education, support research in sports science, and promote healthier lifestyles throughout Malaysia.

    The MoU was formally exchanged by Steven Chin, Senior Director and General Manager of Herbalife Malaysia and Singapore, and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Raja Mohammed Firhad Raja Azidin, Dean of the Faculty of Sports Science and Recreation, in the presence of faculty members, students, and senior officials. Steven Chin expressed the company’s pride in maintaining the partnership with UiTM, noting that over the past three years, the collaboration has provided students with direct access to international nutrition experts, created learning opportunities for coaches and athletes, and opened avenues for young entrepreneurs to pursue careers in health and wellness. He emphasized that the renewed MoU aims to further embed wellness, nutrition, and sports science into the daily lives of Malaysians, ensuring the next generation is healthier, stronger, and well-prepared to lead.

    Since the inception of their partnership, Herbalife and UiTM have launched a variety of initiatives bridging academia, industry, and the community. Knowledge-sharing sessions with Herbalife’s global experts have given UiTM students exposure to international practices in nutrition and sports science. The MASM Football Science Workshop Series has equipped coaches and athletes with practical tools in training, injury prevention, and player development, incorporating performance assessment techniques and fuelling strategies used by international teams. These programmes have raised the standard for football science in Malaysia and empowered coaches to better support athletes. The Herbalife–UiTM Entrepreneurship Programme has also encouraged students from diverse backgrounds to view health and wellness not just as a lifestyle but as a viable career path, providing mentorship and confidence to pursue opportunities in the industry.

    Assoc. Prof. Dr. Raja Mohammed Firhad highlighted the importance of industry collaboration in bridging the gap between theory and practice. He stated that combining UiTM’s academic strengths with Herbalife’s real-world expertise has enabled the creation of programmes that prepare students to enter the workforce confidently while equipping athletes with knowledge to perform at their best.

    The MoU was signed during the National Association of Physical Education and Sports Science International Conference 2025, themed “Optimizing Performance and Wellness: Innovation in Health, Exercise, and Sports Sciences.” During the conference, Herbalife hosted an industry engagement session, and Dr. Simon Sum, Herbalife’s Director of Scientific Affairs, presented on the role of carbohydrates in optimizing endurance performance. His presentation emphasized the importance of carbohydrates as the primary energy source for the body and brain and their role in moderate to high-intensity activities, while also addressing current debates around low-carbohydrate and ketogenic diets from a balanced perspective.

    This renewed partnership reaffirms Herbalife and UiTM’s dedication to advancing nutrition, wellness, and entrepreneurship, aiming to create lasting positive impacts for students, athletes, and the wider Malaysian community.