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I am
invited to attend the SEANUTS (South East Asian Nutrition Surveys): Bringing
Health & Nutrition Back to Malaysian Children A Conversation organized by
Dutch Lady Malaysia on 23 April 2014 at The Garden Mall.
Contributing
to this important discussion were Professor Dr. Poh Bee Koon, Head of
Nutritional sciences Programme at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) and
Principal Investigator for SEANUTS Malaysia; Dr. Mehander Singh Nahar Singh,
sports and physical educator from the Ministry of Education; Dr. Yong Junina
Fadzil, Consultant Paediatrician and two Malaysian parents.
It
highlighted the nutritional status and lifestyle of Malaysian children and
shared parental concerns as well as advice from the professionals on ways to
improve the current health status of children. According to the findings of
SEANUTS, one in 20 children were underweight, and one in five children were
overweight or obese.
“Being
active increases the amount of calories burned and tones up muscle. In fact,
the WHO recommends that children and youth aged 5 to 17 should accumulate at
least 60 minutes of moderate-to vigorous-intensity physical activity daily,”
said Dr. Mehander.
Dr.
Junina explained that Vitamin D is an essential nutrient needed for healthy
bones and to control the amount of calcium in the blood. Dr Junina explained
that the growing child needs calcium and other vital nutrients, and milk is one
of the sources of it. The bottom line is, milk is good and healthy, but it is
important to drink in perspective.
In
summary of the discussion, Professor Dr. Poh said, “The SEANUTS findings
warrant urgent attention from parents and policymakers to look into improving
the nutritional and health status of Malaysian children through working with
health scientists, pediatricians and physical activity experts.”
Concluding
the discussion, Rahul Colaco, Managing Director of Dutch Lady Malaysia,
expressed that by initiating this discussion among parties who have the health
of Malaysian children at their hearts, we hope to generate awareness and more conversations
on the topic for parents, healthcare professionals and even policymakers, so
that they can jointly take proactive measures towards improving our children’s
health”.
Colaco
also gave a preview to Dutch Lady Malaysia’s “Drink, Move, Be trong” Campaign,
held in partnership with the National Basketball Association (NBA) and
underpinned by the findings of SEANUTS.
The discussion
is around 1 hour and we are being served for lunch after the discussion.
Dutch
lady also given some children milk to us in the goodies bag before leaving.
