Nutrir is one of Nestlé Mexico's most important nutrition programmes, an initiative that promotes healthy eating habits amongst children ranging from 6-14 years old. In 2007 and 2008, it reached 445,000 children in urban and rural areas through schools and close collaboration with non profit organisations like Fondo para Niños de México and Instituto para el Desarrollo de la Mixteca, A.C..
Data from the National Survey on Health and Nutrition in 2006 indicate that during the period 1999-2006, overweight and obesity have increased by almost 40% among children aged 5-11 years (33% for girls and 52% for boys).
The combined prevalence of overweight and obesity among school-aged children (aged 5 to 11) is 26%, while the prevalence is less than 8% by region and less than 6% nation-wide for children aged less than 5 years of age. Overweight, and obesity in particular, appear to increase as children become older, especially for boys.
The Nutrir programme was designed by Nestle México and validated by the Fundación Mexicana para la Salud (FUNSALUD -a recognised private health institution) in order to provide an educational option that would improve the knowledge of good nutrition among kids between 6 and 14 years old. It fully complies with the Mexican Norm established for Nutritional Orientation: The Good-eating Plate (Plato del Buen Comer. NORMEX-045).
Using games, physical activities, music, handcrafting and recipes, kids are introduced to subjects such as Food, Nutrition and Health. Children are induced to actively participate in all of the 9 sessions, which cover subjects such as: the importance of breakfast, the 3 alimentary groups, physical activity and hygiene. Children are also involved in an exercise to combine in the best possible way the food resources they have access to.