Dr Michael Mol - Host of the Nestle Health Monitor Breakfast

Dr Michael Mol with guest speaker Neil Higgs of TNS Global

Michael Mol, MC, Naazneen Khan, nutrition, health and wellness manager at Nestlé South Africa, Neil Higgs, senior advisor and head of innovation at TNS Research Surveys and Ravi Pillay, corporate communications director at Nestle South Africa

Nestlé Rainbow Nation Health Monitor study results announced

BRAND ACTIVITY

Nov 28th 2012, 11:42

Nestlé South Africa recently announced the results of its Rainbow Nation Health Monitor study at an industry breakfast held in Johannesburg.

This extensive study was conducted in mid-2011 to determine South Africans’ attitudes toward nutrition, health and wellness, dietary patterns, weight profile and levels of risk of cardiovascular disease.

“The results consolidate key nutritional data and provide a peek into popular opinion regarding the state of health of the South African population,” says Naazneen Khan, nutrition, health and wellness manager at Nestlé South Africa.

The study was conducted by TNS South Africa amongst a sample of 3 001 adults, aged 16 years and older, and across all parts of South Africa. A small questionnaire was also administered to a sub-sample of 286 younger people aged 12 to 15 years. The questionnaire was developed using insights from studies conducted by Nestlé overseas as well as considerable local input.

The Rainbow Nation Health Monitor study is just one of several initiatives undertaken by Nestlé to raise health and wellness awareness amongst South Africans and to pave the way for its commitment to nourishing Southern Africa.

The study reveals the following insights about our population’s state of health and the implications for adults, our youth, health care providers, food producers and the next generation.

• The study found that adults in South Africa fall along a strongly-differentiated spectrum that ranges from healthy attitudes and behaviours to unhealthy attitudes and behaviours. In total, the study divided people into six main groups according to their attitudes and behaviours toward nutrition, health and wellness.

• Amongst the many findings, the study found that almost a third of people investigated often eat less than the body requires. It is thus not surprising that 55% say it is more important that food is filling than how healthy it is. In addition, 47% of people claim that they cannot afford to eat the correct kinds of foods and 71% feel that healthy foods are more expensive. However, 78% claim that they are more productive when eating healthier foods.

• South Africans consider themselves fit. However, they tend to eat and drink whatever tastes good (77%), regardless of its perceived healthiness. Whilst they do believe it is important to eat foods full of vitamins (88%), 47% admit that they often eat more than they should – and a quarter say that it is a constant struggle to lose weight.

• The study found that South Africans admit that, primarily, they eat what tastes good - if it is healthy, that’s a bonus. For example, 57% prefer the taste of fried food over that of grilled food. People say that they are aware of health issues and claim to be moving away from junk and fried foods - but taste still outweighs health benefits. The good news is that 87% of people claim that healthy eating improves the way they look, 82% claim that eating healthy foods makes them feel good about themselves and 78% say that they are more productive when they eat healthier foods.

• Further, different people define “healthy food” differently. For most people, healthy foods are simply those that fill one up and provide a feeling of satisfaction, or that sustain one for a long time. For relatively few others, healthy foods are those that provide the correct nutrients in the correct proportions.

• The weight and risk profile of adult South Africans is alarming and an attitude of both denial and lack of interest is prevalent. To change this will require messaging that is more engaging and resonates at a very practical level for people. In addition, availability, cost and taste of more suitable foods are three key issues that need to be addressed.

• Two-thirds (63%) of parents say that it is difficult to make sure that their children eat the correct foods and a half say that their children have a lot of say in what they eat at mealtimes. A third of parents claim that their children refuse to eat vegetables. The good news is that almost all (88%) say that they make sure that their children eat breakfast every day – 90% acknowledge the importance of breakfast in that is ensures that children do better at school.

• Part of the problem is that family life in South Africa is changing – 61% of females who are responsible for the children in their home are single. Whilst, in some cases, partners may be present, in many cases the responsible male has long since disappeared, leaving the task of bringing up the children to a single parent. Half of parents or guardians rely on a child grant.

• The study found that those responsible for children’s nutrition in the home in South Africa fall along a strongly-differentiated spectrum that is distinguished by the degree of control that parents and guardians have over their children.

• Overall, what parents ultimately look for in the foods they give their children are those that ensure that they grow up healthy and strong, that help with brain and mental development, that boost their immune systems and help them to concentrate at school. Some parents have more success than others in achieving these goals.


Another initiative by Nestlé South Africa is its partnership with the Department of Basic Education (DBE) to deliver its global Nestlé Healthy Kids Program to primary school children in South Africa. The Nestlé Healthy Kids Program is making a tangible difference to children’s understanding of nutrition and health across the world. The programme is currently operational in 60 countries reaching six million children.

“The objective of the programme is to raise nutrition, health and wellness awareness among school-going children through nutritional education and the promotion of regular physical activity. We want to ensure a healthier next generation,” says Khan.

The Nestlé Healthy Kids Program, piloted in Gauteng and North West, promotes healthy lifestyles through initiatives on good nutrition targeted at school going children between six and 12 years old, food handlers, teachers and parents. Teachers receive Nutrition Education Learning and Teaching Support Material to help them educate learners about good nutrition practices. Nestlé and the DBE host workshops for the teachers to share best methods of teaching learners about good nutrition practices.

The partnership with the DBE also includes a free theatre production which has been hosted at the Johannesburg Zoo since July 2012. This fun and interactive show teaches children about nutrition and healthy eating habits.

As a household brand involved in many day-to-day food categories, Nestlé is committed to its goal of nourishing Southern Africa and to become the consumer’s beacon for tastier and healthier choices. “Through research studies such as the Rainbow Nation Health Monitor and our partnership with the DBE, we’re assisting with building a healthy nation,” says Khan.

For more on this study, go to the Nestlé website: www.nestle.co.za

Technical note
The study has a margin of error of under 2% for the results found for the total sample. The study used probability sampling techniques and is fully representative of all South African adults aged 16 years and over. The study was conducted by TNS South Africa on behalf of Nestlé South Africa. For more details, please contact Neil Higgs on or . Please visit: www.tnsglobal.co.za for more information.

About Nestlé South Africa
Is a wholly owned subsidiary of Nestlé Switzerland. The company was formally registered in South Africa about 97 years ago. The first Nestlé products arrived in South Africa during the 1870s, and the company’s presence in South Africa was formally entrenched on 7 July 1916 when it registered as a company. In order to meet the demands of a growing country, local production started in 1927 with the purchase of the South African Condensed Milk Company Ltd factory in Donnybrook, and the Estcourt and Franklin factories. Nestlé South Africa also services neighbouring countries – Lesotho, Swaziland, Botswana and Namibia. Nestlé is committed to bringing consumers tastier, healthier choices in their product offering, and will continuously strive to becoming the leading Nutrition, Health and Wellness company.