The problem of malnutrition which is fast degenerating in major parts of Nigeria has been blamed on high level of illiteracy among mothers who lack the right knowledge about nutrition needed for the optimum development of kids. This is the submission of a panel of discussants at the 4th Creating Shared Value (CSV) Media Workshop organised by Nestle Nigeria Plc in Lagos recently. In his presentation, ‘Addressing the Multiple Burden of Malnutrition’ Dr.. Chris Isokpunwu, Head of Nutrition at the Federal Ministry of Health (FMOH) said that malnutrition is visible on faces of children in many homes. Malnutrition is lack of proper nutrition, caused by not having enough to eat, not eating enough of the right things, or being unable to use the food that one does eat. According to him, the burden of malnutrition could manifest in under nutrition, micronutrient deficiency and overnutrition.
A July 2013 report by the Federal Ministry of Health states that “41 per cent of Nigerian children under age five suffer stunted growth as a result of malnutrition.” The survey, conducted in all the states of the federation by the ministry, shows that there is acute malnutrition among children in all the states in the North. This is said to be as high as 80 per cent of the child population. To bridge the gap created by malnutrition, the head of Nutrition Department at the Ministry of Health said part of the strategies to ensure right nutrition is the provision of fortified foods in which the content of essential micronutrient are deliberately increased so as to provide a public benefit with minimal risk to health. Some of the needed micronutrients include folic acid, iodine, iron, Vitamin A and zinc. For instance, data from the NDHS shows that zinc deficiency causes the deaths of 450,000 children under five annually.
“Addressing zinc deficiency in children can reduce the incidence of diarrhea which kills nine million children a year by 27 percent, acute respiratory infection by 15 percent, and overall child mortality by six percent.” Also, vitamin A deficiency causes one million premature child deaths a year. It is a leadingcauseof preventableblindnessamong children. It compromises the immune systems of approximately 40 to 60 percent of the developing world’s children under five.
However, Isokpunwu said micronutrients will help to address the problems of malnutrition. Micronutrients are vitamins and minerals most of which are not made in the body, or available only in insufficient amounts, which are required in small quantities to ensure normal metabolism, growth and physical wellbeing. Similarly, Isokpunwu said the provision of fortified food has the dual advantage of being able to deliver nutrients to large segments of the population without requiring radical changes in food consumption patterns. “Widely distributed and widely consumed foods have the potential to improve the nutritional status of a large proportion of the population, both poor and wealthy.” In his remarks, the Managing Director and Chief Executive of Nestle Nigeria Plc, Chief Dharnesh Gordhon said CSV is at the heart of Nestle’s operations.
“Our commitment to CSV is not a matter of publicity. It is a commitment that serves internal and external purposes. It guides how we do our things.” According to Gordhon, Nestle in its 2015 Annual General Report made a commitment to sustain the environment where it operates and similarly urged the media to join the journey of Creating Shared Value. “If business is just for pure profit, it cannot be sustainable,” he added. He therefore urged the media to hold companies accountable for what they should do to advance societies.
Similarly, Gordhon said Nestle is working at providing solution to malnutrition problems to prevent further spread. “Nestle Nigeria is working hard to fully solve the problem of malnutrition. We also have to look into the scarcity of drinkable, portable water within our different communities. A better society will produce a better consumer” he said. According to Nestle’sCorporate Communication and Public Affairs (CCPA) Manager, Dr. Samuel Adenekan, in other to foster healthy diets and lifestyle, Nestle is committed to producing nutritious and affordable foods and vegetables.
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