Building healthy hearts, Nestle says

The Nestle logo is pictured on a truck outside the company's headquarters before the nine-month sale figures news conference in Vevey Oct 17, 2013. [Photo/Agencies]

Nestle, one of the world's largest consumer goods firms, has taken significant steps in China to promote better awareness about heart health and for prevention of cardiovascular diseases.

The company, which makes products ranging from Gerber baby food and Nescafe coffee to Kit Kat chocolate and Maggi soups, was the official partner of the World Heart Day in China, which fell on Sept 29 this year.

"We have played a big role in promoting cardiovascular health in China," said Alessandre Keller, vice-president of Nestle's food and beverage division.

"We will launch more marketing campaigns to promote healthy lifestyle and raise awareness about heart health."

According to Keller, the campaigns would focus mostly on boosting health awareness among senior citizens. "Maintaining a healthy diet, lifestyle and positive attitude can prevent cardiovascular diseases.

"Nestle believes that by raising awareness, it would be possible to reduce heart health problems among senior citizens."

As the official partner of the World Heart Day in China since 2012, Nestle has also worked continuously with the China Heart Federation and other government and academic organizations.

On Sept 27, thousands of volunteers participated in the "Long March of Heart", a nationwide campaign launched to build heart health through walking and a year-long healthy-heart environment promotion sponsored by Nestle.

The theme of this year's World Heart Day was to create a heart-healthy environment in the workplace and at home, and to let more people participate in physical activities that reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases.

As part of the campaign, Nestle also took feedback from senior citizens on their habits and lifestyle, and suggested step-by-step measures to create a heart-healthy environment.

According to Hu Dayi, director of the World Heart Federation and chairman of the World Heart Day Organizing Committee in China, an unhealthy lifestyle is often the main cause of cardiovascular diseases.

"By carefully controlling cholesterol levels, blood pressure and diet as well as maintaining a healthy lifestyle, senior citizens can effectively reduce the incidence of cardiovascular disease," said Hu.

In 2013, the cardiovascular health education program, launched by Nestle in cooperation with the All-China Women's Federation, reached more than 1 million families. In addition, 300,000 more senior citizens benefited from the free heart checkups Nestle offered in communities, supermarkets and retail points during its national road show. At the same time, the "Healthy-Heart Health Exercise" launched during World Heart Day 2013 reached 10 cities across China.

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