KUALA LUMPUR, 1 August 2024 – Duopharma Biotech Berhad (“Duopharma Biotech” or “the Company”) is supporting efforts to promote better nutrition among schoolchildren for the second year running. Through the CHAMPS® Nutribar range, the Company’s leading nutrition brand CHAMPS® is the main sponsor of the nationwide Kempen Pemakanan Seimbang CHAMPS® targeted at primary school students. This year, the campaign co-organised by Sin Chew Media Corporation and the National Union of School Heads Malaysia (Kesatuan Kebangsaan Guru-Guru Besar Malaysia), and endorsed by the Ministry of Education, is themed ‘Balanced Nutrition Starts with Breakfast’, focusing on educating students on the importance of breakfast and fostering balanced eating habits.
The campaign was officially launched by Dato’ Haji Abdul Muie Ngah, Director of the Daily School Management Division, Ministry of Education, and witnessed by Koo Cheng, Executive Director of Sin Chew Media Group and CEO of Sin Chew Daily, Chuah Soo Cheng, President of the National Union of School Heads Malaysia and Shamsul Idham Ahad, Chief Executive Officer of Duopharma Consumer Healthcare Sdn Bhd. Also present were teachers and students from selected participating schools and nutritionists from the Ministry of Health.
Running from now until 25 September 2024, the Kempen Pemakanan Seimbang CHAMPS® is targeted at primary schools across Peninsular Malaysia. As part of the campaign, nutritionists from the Ministry of Health will visit selected primary schools to give talks on balanced nutrition and the importance of eating healthy breakfasts, in fun and interactive sessions featuring captivating performances by magicians. Campaign flyers and CHAMPS® Nutribar product samples will be distributed at selected primary schools, while the campaign will also be further promoted through Sin Chew Daily’s publications and online channels, which is estimated to reach over 200,000 students and parents.
“In line with our mission of being the “Leading Healthcare Group Providing Quality and Innovative Solutions”, Duopharma Biotech believes in helping to ensure that children get all the nutrition they need for good physical health and mental development. The Kempen Pemakanan Seimbang CHAMPS® was well-received and benefited many students last year, and we are pleased to continue supporting this meaningful effort. A balanced and nutritious breakfast is important to help children get an energetic start to their day and improve concentration in school besides benefiting physical development,” said Shamsul Idham Ahad, Chief Executive Officer of Duopharma Consumer Healthcare Sdn Bhd.
“As a proudly Malaysian company, we believe in supporting national efforts to improve health among children, who are the future of our society. To this end, we are excited to introduce Champs® Nutribar, a healthier filler food option designed to cater to the nutritional needs of schoolchildren during their busy school days in between school activities,” he added. Containing high Vitamin C and source of fibre, CHAMPS® Nutribar is the ideal filler for energy and a healthier alternative to biscuits and bread. Available in three delicious flavours—Orange, Blackcurrant, and Banana, CHAMPS® Nutribar provides energy from natural resources and features a low sugar content with natural sugars, making it a nutritious choice.
Continuous effort needed to address national concern
Recently, Minister of Health Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said the country’s prevalence of stunting among children under five has increased from 17.7% in 2015 to 21.2% in 2022, which far exceeds the target of 11% to be achieved by 2025 under the National Plan of Action for Nutrition 2016-2025[1]. In recent years, the Government has recognised the problem of malnutrition among children in Malaysia, impacting approximately 5.6 million schoolchildren[2] and has directly addressed the issue with the 2022-2030 National Strategic Plan to Combat the Double Burden of Malnutrition Among Children in Malaysia[3]. Meanwhile, researchers found a higher prevalence of overweight and obesity, particularly in primary schoolboys and secondary schoolgirls, among those who skipped breakfast (boys: 43.9%, girls: 30.5%) compared to regular breakfast eaters (boys: 31.2%, girls: 22.7%), highlighting the importance of eating breakfast[4].
To stay updated on the activities under the Kempen Pemakanan Seimbang CHAMPS®, please visithttps://www.facebook.com/SinChew.Champs.EatHealthy. For more information about CHAMPS®, please visit its official Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/ChampsVitaminsOfficial
[1] Malay Mail, 26 July 2024, Not just height but also not just nutrition: Dispelling the myths around child stunting — Derek Kok
[2] Malay Mail Online, 16 March 2023, Govt to immediately tackle malnutrition issue among 5.6 million children in Malaysia, says DPM Zahid
[3] Bernama, 4 April 2023, Strategic Plan to Combat Child Malnutrition via Focus on Five Cores – Ahmad Zahid
[4] Asia Pacific Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 2018; 27(2):421-432, Breakfast consumption among Malaysian primary and secondary school children and relationship with body weight status – Findings from the MyBreakfast Study
