“The first 1000 days of life are a critical period to supporting optimal growth and development in children and protecting them from lifestyle diseases in later life.”
Better nutrition can have a life-changing impact on a child’s future and have a real influence on how they develop, grow and learn — not just now, but for his or her whole life.
12th September 2015, KARACHI: Nestlé Pakistan organized a blogger meet at Pearl Continental Hotel, Karachi under its initiative ‘Start Healthy, Stay Healthy’.
The event was organized to raise awareness of the importance of nutrition in the first 1,000 days of a child’s life. Dr. Huma Fahim who is Medical Advisor in Nestlé Nutrition gave the audience an informative presentation, which was followed by an interactive quiz.
Waqar Ahmad, the Head of Corporate Affairs, said, “Nestlé has an expertise in nutrition and believes it has a responsibility to share that expertise. We want to promote better health through good nutrition in the first 1,000 days of life. Research shows that children who don’t get proper nutrition in their early years can’t fully develop their physical and cognitive potential and are at an increased risk of poor health as adults.”
Well known blogger Rabeeyah Tungekar said, “It was an informative event, which helped & educated me about how first 1000 days of a child is important. Not only it was helpful for myself, but it helped me to pass on the knowledge to a lot of women, especially un-educated ones & help them in raising a healthy child.”
Mishalle Hira, CEO of Rah e Mashal, said, “The knowledge that was spread through this awareness campaign is what is required by every human being entering adolescence. I hope that as this programme takes a step forward they would involve different schools, universities, teachers and NGO representatives to help spread the much required knowledge.”
Some of the facts about Pakistan which were shared are
- 80% of stunted children live in just 14 countries and Pakistan is ranked third
- Pakistan is 9th most obese country in the world
- Pakistan is 3rd globally in Chronic Malnutrition
- Above 40% of children in Pakistan are suffering from iron deficiency
- We’ve lost 4 inches of average human height in 5 decades in Pakistan
- Pakistan lies amongst the top 14 countries that carry malnutrition diseases
- In Pakistan every 3rd person is overweight
- In Pakistan, 50% Children are facing malnutrition
The event was attended by prominent bloggers and key opinion influencers who all pledged to use their influence to raise awareness about the importance of nutrition in the First 1000 Days of a child’s life.
You can find out more about #First1000Days by following the hashtag.