Nutrition, described as “the process of providing or obtaining the food necessary for health and growth” is an important aspect of human life. But it is often taken for granted. Its effects become obvious when people fall ill from preventable causes, especially those related to inadequate intake of quality, yet cheap and available food items.
That brings to mind the popular quote by Hippocrates, the famous 5th Century Greek physician. He stated that: “May your food be your medicine and your medicine your food”. Indeed, if we eat right everyday, we would spend less money, time and resources visiting the hospital to be treated for one ailment or the other.
As reflected in my upcoming book: ‘Food for Health-Eat Right, Every Day’, good, nutritious food is undoubtedly man’s most basic need, ranking above shelter and clothing. It is man’s constant contract with life. Simply put, we cannot do without it because it is the fuel that powers the body for everyday’s activities. And it is essential for growth and all-round health too.
Promoting this within our country’s context therefore, is the cardinal objective of the Nutrition Society of Nigeria (NSN). So far, it is the only and largest gathering of stakeholders in Nutrition in Nigeria. It is a professional, non-governmental association founded in 1963 at the University of Ibadan.
Amongst its laudable aims is to promote and foster the study and practice of nutrition in its widest sense. Similarly, it provides a common forum for Nutritionists and Public Health professionals to liaise and co-operate with universities, research institutes and government departments. Others include national commissions, corporate organisations and similar bodies for the exchange of professional and relevant information in the promotion of Nutrition, and National Development.
For instance, on annual basis the NSN invites nutritionists, dietitians, food scientists and related professionals for its Annual General Meeting. These erudite professionals come from tertiary institutions, health institutions, research institutes, government ministries and agencies. Some grace the important event from industries, organized private sector and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs).
For its 49th Annual General Meeting and Scientific Conference which held at NAF Conference Centre, Abuja from the 10th to 13th September, 2019 the theme of the Conference was the“Promotion of Nutrition for Sustainable Development: Current Trends and Innovations”.To underscore the importance of adequate nutrition to a country such as Nigeria, the Sub-themes included: ‘Infant and Young Child Feeding in Nigeria: Challenges and prospects’, ‘School Age and Adolescent Nutrition’, ‘Maternal Nutrition and Health as well as Geriatric Nutrition: Neglected or Forgotten?’
The problem with our eating habits, however include the fact that we sometimes do not choose wisely, when it has to do with what to eat and in the right combination. Too often we look down on some important food items, especially fruits, nuts and vegetables, not knowing the significant functions they perform to keep us healthy, hale and hearty. Such ignorance undermines our overall wellbeing.
For instance, UNICEF with its Unite For Children Initiative has over the decades, raised concerns over the prevailing malnutrition of under-5 children in Nigeria. These are characterized by stunting, wasting, low mental acuity arising from deficiencies of micro-nutrients such as iron, iodine, calcium magnesium, potassium, phosphorous and zinc in their daily diets.
UNICEF insists that “malnutrition is a direct or underlying cause of 45 percent of all deaths of under-five children. Nigeria has the second highest burden of stunted children in the world, with a national prevalence rate of 32 percent of children under five years of age. Seven percent of women of childbearing age also suffer from acute malnutrition”.
In addition, here in Nigeria, 37 per cent of children, or 6 million children, are stunted (chronicallymalnourished or low height for age), more than half of them severely. In addition, 18 percent of children suffer from wasting (acutely malnourished or low weight for height), half of themseverely. Twenty-nine per cent of children are underweight (both acutely and chronically malnourishedor low weight for age), almost half of them severely.
Trends in stunting (low height for age) prevalence MICS 2007, MICS 2011 and DHS 2013).Stunting prevalence remained relatively stable between 2007 and2013, whereas wasting has increased significantly, from 10 per centin 2011 to 18 per cent in 2013. Although underweight rates were stablebetween 2007 and 2011 at around 25 per cent, the rate increasedslightly to 29 per cent in 2013.
It has also identified disparities in malnutrition related to various backgroundcharacteristics are significant in Nigeria, but are often morepronounced for stunting. Children from rural areas are almosttwice as likely to be stunted than children from urban areas.
Its observation goes further to state that “a child whose mother has no education is four times more likelyto be stunted than a child whose mother has secondary or highereducation. Children from the poorest 20 per cent of householdsare also four times more likely to be stunted than children fromthe wealthiest 20 per cent of households”.
The NSN should therefore, be commended for considering thematically relevant topics during its Annual Conference in 2019 such as ‘Micronutrient Deficiency and Control in Nigeria: Current Strategies and Challenges’,‘Social and Behavioural Changes for Improved Nutrition’ as well as ‘Information and Communication Technology for Improved Nutrition’.
One’s candid observation however, is that the NSN should ensure that it is not seen as an elitist organization. It should do much more in engaging our politicians in government at the federal, state and local council levels. It should go on mass public enlightenment, in partnership with NAFDAC, using the local languages to caution food vendors on unhealthy practices.
This has become important, especially in these days that there are increasing allegations of owners of public eateries using adulterated chemical preservatives, using steel and even banned drugs in cooking food items!
Let us note that the Food and Agriculture Organisation, FAO, an arm of the UNO reminds us that:improved nutrition can assist to attain the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).But malnutrition reduces productivity through reduced physical and mental capacity. Hunger reduces performance at school.Well-fed girls would stay in school to learn to become better mothers.
Lack of good food leads to the death of over 50 percent victims. It contributes to diseases as malnutrition becomes part of the risk factors.Malnutrition weakens resistance to infections. The time for more robust and impactful engagements, especially ones that would benefit the ignorant members of the society, down to the rural areas is now, not tomorrow!
Ayo Oyoze Baje
