Nutrition Month Malaysia 09′ is Launched to Create a Well-Equipped Society with Knowledge of Nutrition
Aiming to promote greater awareness, practice of healthy eating to attain nutritional well-being as well as to reach out to parents to ensure they are aware of the importance of childhood nutrition in formative years, Nutrition Society of Malaysia, Malaysian Dietitians’ Association and Malaysian Association for the Study of Obesity (MASO), have joined hands together to launch Nutrition Month Malaysia 2009 at Mid Valley Valley Exhibition Centre, Hall 3, yesterday.
Speaking at the press launch, Dr. Tee E Siong, Chairman of Nutrition Month Malaysia Steering Committee, said”…we are non profit organizations, comprising professionals such as, nutritionists, dietitians, doctors and other similar professionals…our common goal through NMM is to encourage all Malaysians to practice healthy eating habits and enjoy an active lifestyle to attain nutritional wellbeing and reduce the risk of nutrition related problems. We believe good nutrition should start in the formative years in order for our children to grow and develop well, it is during this period that our children begin to grow physically and develop mentally, emotionally and socially…”. Meanwhile, YABhg Toh Puan Dato’ Seri Hajah Dr. Aishah Ong, Chairman of the Malaysian Health Promotion Board, who echoed Dr. Tee sentiment by saying,”…we have identified that the present eating habits have to ‘break’ badly…on how to eat well, nobody really knows…therefore NMM has to come forward and start teaching the little ones from young, on the necessity of proper nutrition derived from the food…”. Also present at the launch were, Prof. Dr. Mohd Ismail Noor, President of Malaysian Association for the Study of Obesity, Mr. Mansor Fenner, Senior Manager of Malaysian Health Promotion Board and Miss Tan Yoke Hwa, President of Malaysian Dietitians’ Association.
This year’s theme “Healthy Children, Healthier Nation”, will provide parents to be equipped with basic nutritional knowledge and guidelines on how to nourish their young ones with a nutritious head-start during the formative years from 1 to 6 years old.
In conjunction with the opening ceremony of NMM, Toh Puan Dr. Aishah Ong also officiated the unveiling of another MHPB-funded effort, by launching two free booklets of healthy living on proper nutrition guidelines for all Malaysians, the Raising Healthy Eaters booklet, highlights the common nutritional defects, feeding mistakes on nutritional values and providing advices on weight monitoring, while the the Easy Nutrition Planner booklet, emphasizes on practical approach by introducing healthy cooking methods, meal-planning strategies and usage of nutritious recipes.
Other NMM 2009 upcoming activities include, Kindergarten Teachers Seminar will be held on 26 April 2009, at Corus Hotel, Kuala Lumpur. Publication of Educational Materials (provided free to all Malaysian public) about nutritional values are Raising Healthy Eaters guide book, Easy Nutritional Planner guide & recipe book, Raising Healthy Eaters Children’s DVD and Raising Healthy Eaters Childrens’ Worksheets (for Kindergarten teachers to work on).
The main sponsor for the success of NMM 2009 campaign is Nestle Products Sdn. Bhd., while co-sponsors are Malaysian Milk Sdn. Bhd.(Vitagen), Gardenia Bakeries Sdn. Bhd., Kraft Malaysia Sdn. Bhd. (Tiger), PepsiCo Malaysia, Wyeth Malaysia Sdn. Bhd. and Yakult Malaysia Sdn. Bhd.
