Review of Nestlé for Healthier Kids Programme (2017-2020)
As the world’s leading Nutrition, Health and Wellness company, Nestlé is committed to helping 50 million children lead healthier lives by 2030. One of the key global initiatives supporting this goal is the Nestlé for Healthier Kids Programme (N4HK Programme), launched in 2019. This global initiative brings together Nestlé’s CSR efforts in Hong Kong to support parents, caregivers, and educators in raising healthier children by promoting balanced diets and active lifestyles among children aged 3 to 12.
A Local Commitment to Healthier Futures
In Hong Kong, Nestlé Hong Kong has taken a proactive role in advancing this global mission. Since 2017, Nestlé Hong Kong has partnered with the Centre for Health Education and Health Promotion (“the Centre”) at The Chinese University of Hong Kong to implement the N4HK Programme locally. The first phase of this key CSRprogramme in Hong Kong, which ran from 2017 to 2020, was introduced in six primary schools and reached over 500 students.
This three-year initiative was carefully designed to coincide with a critical developmental stage—Primary 4 to Primary 6—when children begin to form lasting habits. The programme included 30 educational activities tailored for students, parents, and teachers. These activities focused on nutrition education, physical activity, and healthy lifestyle choices, aiming to create a supportive environment both at school and at home.
Evidence-Based Impact
To measure the programme’s effectiveness, the Centre conducted annual health surveys and fitness assessments. These evaluations provided baseline, interim, and final data, allowing for a comprehensive understanding of the programme’s impact.
The results were encouraging. One of the most notable improvements was in students’ fruit and vegetable consumption. By the second year of the programme, 47.2% of students were consuming at least two portions of vegetables daily, and 71.3% were eating at least two portions of fruit, aligning with the Department of Health’s dietary recommendations. These figures represented a significant improvement from the baseline and demonstrated the positive influence of school-based health education.
Building on Success: The Second N4HK Programme (2021–2024)
Encouraged by the success of the first phase, Nestlé Hong Kong and the Centre launched a second N4HK Programme in 2021, extending through 2024. This new phase aimed to reach even more students and deepen the impact of the initiative. The second programme continued to emphasize a holistic approach, integrating classroom learning with family engagement and community support. Annual health survey and fitness test shall continue to keep track of the development of participating children.
Looking Ahead
As the 2021–2024 CSR programme draws to a close, Nestlé Hong Kong remains committed to evaluating its outcomes and identifying new opportunities to support children’s health. The company continues to explore innovative ways to engage schools, families, and communities in promoting lifelong healthy habits.
Through the N4HK Programme, Nestlé Hong Kong is not only contributing to the global goal of healthier children but also investing in the well-being of future generations in Hong Kong. By fostering a culture of health and wellness from an early age, Nestlé is helping to build a stronger, more resilient society—one child at a time.
