Time flies indeed. I have been busy working, and attending to my little ones’ needs such as tutoring, helping with daily homework, doing weekly groceries for their “baon”, preparing their uniforms, books, notebooks, and other school supplies, etc. I bet we all are. Above all that, families and educational institutions must not take students’ health and nutrition for granted. This has been one of the problems that needs to be addressed especially among public elementary pupils.
Here are some numbers based on research. 2013 Food and Nutrition Research Institute (FNRI) survey showed that 29.1% of Filipino children between the ages of 5 and 10 are underweight while 8.6% are deemed to be wasted or severely wasted or as per United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), they are those whose weight is below minus two deviations from the median weight of the targeted population.
There are a lot of initiatives to improve this situation, and Coca-Cola Philippines aims to help alleviate this condition. As the country’s leading beverage company, Coca-Cola Philippines produces Minute Maid Nurisha, a micronutrient-fortified orange-flavored juice drink to supplement the Department of Education’s in-school feeding program for malnourished school children.
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Minute Maid Nurisha is a product of a partnership between the FNRI of the Department of Science and Technology and Coca-Cola Philippines that aimed to develop a beverage product that will address Iron Deficiency Anemia and overall micronutrient deficiencies among school children. Using the fruit and nature expertise of the Minute Maid brand, Coca-Cola and FNRI came up with a new clinically-proven orange-juice drink that helps deliver 14 key nutrients to address common nutrient gaps in a child’s diet.
In 2015, Minute Maid Nurisha was rolled out in select public elementary schools in Quezon City, Rizal, Bulacan, and Batangas, reaching a total of 30,000 wasted and severely wasted school children. At the start of the school year, the Department of Education evaluated the weight and height of school children to determine who are underweight, wasted, and severely wasted, as classified by the World Health Organization. Those who are diagnosed as wasted and severely wasted are introduced to the feeding program. For a period of 90 to 120 days, Minute Maid Nurisha was given to school children ages 6 to 9 for free.
This is part of the commitment of Coca-Cola Philippines to continue to help build stronger communities, to provide refreshment for everyone, and to bring balanced nutrition to the children. Minute Maid Nurisha is specially concocted for the betterment of the children,”said Atty. Adel Tamano, VP for Public Affairs and Communications of Coca-Cola Philippines.
Having proper nutrition is important. School children should be able to meet the basic nutritional requirements in order for them to properly develop and grow, said Dr. Aurea Lopez, Quezon City Division of City Schools Medical and Health Division head. Meeting the proper nutritional requirement plays a crucial role in the students’ performance, both in academic and non-academic courses.
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| Parents of students from Sauyo Elementary School were also given guidelines how to create healthy meals for their family and children that are still within budget. |
As a mom, I am always worried especially when my kids aren’t at home and not closely monitored. Who knows what they might have been eating or drinking, even though I ensure their packed lunch or snacks are all healthy, right? I believe it’s important that they are well educated in terms of maintaining a healthy lifestyle as much as, or even more than, adults do. I always remind my kids how being healthy will keep them strong and smart. Knowing a business magnate Coca-Cola is loyal to their social responsibility to care for the community, most especially our children, helps ease my mind.
