Nourished tummies mean flourishing potential
A powerful but sometimes underestimated force in helping decide where many young South Africans will one day end up after they leave school, is access to nutrition.
As educators, parents and the government strive to unlock the full potential of every child during their years at school, we must recognise the profound effects of nourishment on cognitive development, which in turn has a direct impact on academic performance in school-going children.
Anecdotal theories have always suggested that a hearty breakfast is key to a productive work or school day. According to the Human Appetite Research Unit at the University of Leeds in the United Kingdom, this belief was solidified with findings that children who ate breakfast (specifically within the confines of a school feeding programme) received the following benefits: They had better maths and reading scores; they were less likely to miss a class; and their problems with discipline decreased.
As a leading food and beverage company, PepsiCo South Africa believes we have an important responsibility to translate scientific knowledge into tangible solutions that help support academic success. Our school breakfast nutrition programme, which we launched in 2015 in partnership with the Department of Basic Education, provides 35 000 children with a nutritious breakfast every school day, at 35 schools located in disadvantaged communities, in seven of the country’s nine provinces.
The impact of our schools feeding programme extends far beyond the realm of nutrition. For many children, particularly those from vulnerable communities, access to nourishing meals at schools is a lifeline. In turn, it can help support the likelihood of academic progress and positively contribute to food security and promoting healthy eating habits from a young age.
But more than just filling tummies is the importance of the quality of nutrition included in these breakfasts. There is much evidence to be found that indicates whole-grain food consumption (and milk) reduces the risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes and certain cancers – but just how many people are aware of this and, more importantly, how many of them know what whole-grains even are?
In a recent study we conducted in partnership with the University of Pretoria, we found that although 64% of respondents were confident of their whole-grain knowledge, most selected the incorrect definitions of whole-grains. Similarly, while 67% thought they were consuming enough whole-grains, 62% underestimated the recommended level of consumption. In summary, knowledge regarding whole-grain food attributes and the health benefits of whole-grain consumption was generally poor.
Overall, our commitment to nourishing minds goes beyond our breakfast programme at schools. We not only help provide healthy and nutritious breakfasts to children where we can, but we consider it our responsibility to broadly share our research findings and nutritional knowledge, such as the findings of the study mentioned above. We partner with local stakeholders, non-profit organisations and the government to implement initiatives that address food security and promote nutrition awareness. By engaging parents, caregivers and community leaders, we aim to create a ripple effect of positive change.
As we look to the future, PepsiCo South Africa remains steadfast in its commitment to promoting holistic well-being through nourishment. We will continue to innovate, collaborate and advocate for initiatives in this regard.
Mandy Murphy
General Manager: Foods Category
Image credit: Freepik
