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Knock out obesity - Nestlé launches wellness fiesta

Published:Tuesday | May 10, 2016 | 12:00 AMKeisha Hill
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Gladstone Taylor
From left: Damion Francis, co-director of the Caribbean branch of the United States Cochrane Centre; Krysta-Lee Fook, The Queens School; Delroy Grodon, executive director, Jamaica Cultural Development Commission; Gianne White, Portmore Missionary Preparatory School; Jurg Blaser, country manager, Nestle Jamaica Limited; Mikayla Dunkley, Johnelle Forrester, Shawna Kidd of Nestle Jamaica Limited; Dennis Chung of the Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica and Ashomoy Blair also of The Queens School, pose for the camera at the Nestle School’s Wellnesss Fiesta launch.
Gladstone Taylor
Gladstone Taylor/ PhotographerFrom left: Damion Francis - co-director of the Caribbean branch of United States Cochrane Centre; Delroy Grodon - executive director of the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission; Jurg Blaser - country manager; Nestle Jamaica Limited; Shawna Kidd - corporate communications and consumer relationship marketing manager Nestle Jamaica Limited and Dennis Chung of the Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica engage in conversation at the launch.
Gladstone Taylor
Gladstone Taylor/ PhotographerStudents from Portmore Missionary Prep School perform a dance routine titled “Sisters”.
Gladstone Taylor
Gladstone Taylor/ Photographer Dub Poetry Peformance by Ashomoy Blair gives an entertaining performance of a dub poem titled "Jamaica Fi Wi" for the launch of Nestle School's Wellnesss Fiesta held at the Knutsford Court Hotel in Kingsotn on Tuesday May 10.
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Eat Healthy...Exercise...Knock out Obesity' is this year's theme for the seventh staging of the Nestlé Schools Wellness Fiesta.

In collaboration with the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC), Nestlé's aim is to encourage healthy children, healthy adolescents and by extension healthy adults.

Jurg Blaser, Nestlé Jamaica's country manager speaking at the launch of the Fiesta at the Knutsford Court Hotel in St Andrew, said it was important for the company to raise the awareness of a healthy lifestyle based on a balanced diet and physical activity, especially in children.

"This is why programmes like Nestlé Schools Wellness Fiesta were created. We want to ensure that students are eating healthy by adopting a balanced diet and at the same time dedicating sufficient time to exercise which will certainly help to knock out obesity," Blaser said.

Blaser indicated that based on the enthusiasm of the participants each year he is confident that they will continue to get the support from teachers, parents and partner organisations.

"We have recognised that as a company we can only be successful in the long term if we actively and meaningfully participate in the local environment where we operate," Blaser said.

The categories for participation in the Wellness Fiesta will include a more wholesome approach to Nutrition, Health and Wellness.

 

Expanded involvement

 

Nestlé's involvement has been expanded to include the performing arts through a speech and drama competition, literary arts with a creative writing competition and the visual arts through research based booth competitions and rhythmic skipping competitions.

There will also be a culinary arts 'Dutchie Dash' feature focusing on breakfast preparation.

Stephen Davidson, director of marketing and public relations, at the JCDC said they were proud to partner with Nestlé.

"We are honoured to use its platform to spread this important message.This is a perfect partnership as our agency unearths,develops, promotes and showcases the talents and cultural expressions of thousands of Jamaicans," Davidson said.

The Nestlé Schools' Wellness Fiesta is scheduled for May 31, at the Ranny Williams Entertainment Centre. The event is free to the public.

keisha.hill@gleanerjm.com