HADSAP brings advocacy on nutrition education to where it’s needed most

Amway Phils President Leni Olmedo

One of the most common problems in the Philippines would probably be the lack of nutrition which often leads to a child's stunted growth. Poverty prevents Filipino kids from getting enough nutrition. It is happy to note that there are good companies that does their part in helping out these underprivileged communities. Amway Philippines is one of them. The Health and Dietary Supplement Association of the Philippines (HADSAP) has done its share over the years, to ensure that education on basic nutrition in the Philippines remains ongoing.  This year however, HADSAP decided it was time to cascade that education to those who need it most, young mothers with young families at the grassroots level. 

“Typically, kids between the ages one to five the are the most at risk of malnutrition.  That’s where you start, if there are nutrient deficiencies early on in life, then you will have a harder time catching up later on so that’s why you address them during the first five years of life.  So that’s why we targeted moms with young families in particular.” Shared HADSAP President Leni Olmedo, country manager of Amway Philippines.  

To kick of these efforts, HADSAP, together with the Food and Nutrition Research Institute (FNRI), and Rotary Club West started a project called “Lodi ang Healthy” at the Signal Village National High school.  An all day nutrition education seminar and workshop for young moms and kids from underprivileged families in the community, “Lodi ang Healthy” is in line with the United Nation’s Millennium Development goals, which include improved maternal health, and reduction of child mortality. 

Previously, HADSAP pursued its nutrition education advocacy through larger scale nutrition summits, and while shifting to smaller events at the grassroots level was always a goal, there were challenges that could only be overcome by making the effort multi-sectoral.   “When we organized this, the three of us met:  FNRI, Rotary and HADSAP, we can’t do this alone, if we want to be able to address to the right communities.” explained Olmedo.

Amway Philippines President Leni Olmedo

It was important to the organizations involved that the seminar reach the right audience, particularly home makers: “Because moms do the food preparation at home.  So if you want to ensure that that family gets the most proper nutrition, you address the moms.” Said Olmedo. 

Since it was established in 2007, it has been one of the’ (HADSAP) core functions to closely cooperate with the Food and Nutrition Research Institute of the Philippines (FNRI) on matters of the agency’s mandate, which is to improve the state of nutrition of every Filipino through research, and education. 

Aside from nutrition education, mom’s and kids who attended “Lodi ang Healthy” took home supplements from HADSAP’s member companies.  HADSAP’s member companies are Amway Philippines, Capsugel, GND International, Total Nutrition, Herbs Express, Herbs and Nature, Nikken, Nu Skin, Splash, Symmetry, and Unicity. 

  

Nutrilite Kids by Amway: Essential Vitamin Supplement for Kids

Mothers would always want to give what's best for their kids. As parents, we'd scrutinize products even up to its little details to assure us of our kids' safety and its effectiveness. I'm sure a lot of moms will be able to relate to what I am talking about. In a tropical country like ours, one can't simply predict what weather will it be like. One minute it's raining then after a while, you'd feel the debilitating heat of the sun. That's why we should be mindful of illness especially with our kids. Some kids sleep later than they should because they tend to stay up really late. When kids are sleep deprived they tend to skip breakfast as well as to the point of going to school on an empty stomach. Cafeteria foods or concessionaires are often unappetizing for kids. So usually they'd pick unhealthy junk foods or fast foods instead. It's a good thing Amway has a line of nutritional supplements specifically with kids in mind such as Nutrilite Kids Chewable Vitamins and Minerals. 

With the pressure from school + picking unhealthy/wrong choices of foods, most kids become undernourished, sleep deprived, and to top it off, they can and often do play in the rain. This combination can and does often lead to tired, sleepy kids with somewhat vulnerable immune systems, a great combination for contracting viral or even bacterial infections.  

 

One of the most effective ways to safeguard kids’ health is to make sure they get the right amounts of vitamins and minerals.  The water soluble vitamins (Vitamin B Complex, Vitamin C) are of particular importance as these are the ones that are most quickly consumed by active people and active kids.  Vitamin B Complex is essential to proper brain function, and in bridging nutrition gaps, while Vitamin C is an unbeatable immune system booster.          

 

“The challenge for parents is actually getting their kids to eat vegetables and fruits that are rich in Vitamins.  Even getting kids to take vitamin supplements can be challenging especially those who are more finicky” said Joy Marie Bacay, Nutrilite Brand Manager.

 

“Nutrilite’ Kiddie Pack which includes Kids Chewable Multivitamins and Minerals, Active 8 Beverage Crystals, Kids Chewable Concentrated Fruits & Vegetables and Acerola C, makes it easier for parents to ensure that their kids are properly nourished, especially during the abrupt changes brought about by the rainy and back-to-school seasons.”, Bacay said.

 

Scientifically formulated with the right amounts of vitamins and minerals and other nutrients kids often miss out on due to lifestyle or eating preferences.

 

Nutrilite Kids Chewable Vitamins and Minerals are tablets that come in fun, soccer ball design. This supplement provides 11 vitamins, beta carotene, and 4 minerals. It also contains phytonutrients from Nutrilite Acerola concentrate and tropical fruit concentrates, for additional nutritional benefits.  Acerola cherries are known to be one of the world’s richest sources of Vitamin C and this found in Acerola C.

 

Nutrilite Kids Chewable Concentrated Fruits and Vegetables are chewable tablets made sweet and tangy –a formula that kids like. One tablet delivers naturally sourced phytonutrients equivalent to five servings of fruits and vegetables. It is also packed with xylitol so it does not promote tooth decay.

 

Nutrilite Active 8 Beverages Crystals is a mix to replace softdrinks. Each glass provides seven B vitamins plus natural vitamin C.

 

With Nutrilite products, kids actually look forward to taking their vitamins.

 

 

For more information about Amway products, visit amway.com.ph or call tel. (02)8148181 / 8935113 (GMA). Dial toll-free 1-800-1-888-AMWY (2699). LIKE us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/AmwayCOLORurLIFE. Email us at helpdesk-phl@amway.com.

 

 

About Amway Philippines

Amway Philippines is the local affiliate of Amway Corporation, one of the world’s largest direct selling businesses founded in 1959 and headquartered in Ada, Michigan, offering consumer products and business opportunities in more than 100 countries and territories worldwide. In the Philippines, Amway now has six (6) distributor centers nationwide which makes available over 100 product options to more than 50,000 Amway Independent Business Owners. Amway product offerings include its flagship brands, NUTRILITE, the only global vitamin and mineral brand to grow, harvest and process plants on its own certified organic farms, and ARTISTRY, one of the world’s top five, largest-selling, prestige brands of facial skincare and color cosmetics. Amway products also include a wide range of personal care, homecare, and agricultural products.