*Advocates prioritization of breastfeeding
By; MATTHEW UKACHUNWA, Lagos
A nutritionist with an international food and beverage company has advised Nigerian government to fortify foods and beverages with essential micronutrients.
Dr. Kamalio Olalokun, a nutritionist at Nestle Nutrition Institute, Central West African Region, made the recommendation at this year’s annual symposium of Health Writers Association of Nigeria (HEWAN) where she made a presentation titled: “Adequate Nutrition As Preventive Medicine.”
She emphasized that incorporating fortification with essential nutrients into foods and beverages widely eaten by vulnerable Nigerians would ensure maximum impact. “The fortified product must be affordable and accessible,” Olalokun said.
She explained that food micronutrient levels should be carefully calibrated to provide at least 15 per cent of daily requirements while remaining below the upper intake limits to prevent over-consumption and potential adverse effects.
As the nutrition specialist declared, “Malnutrition is a broad term encompassing both undernutrition and overnutrition.
“Undernutrition refers to insufficient intake of essential nutrients, leading to conditions like stunting, wasting, and underweight.
“Conversely, overnutrition results from excessive food consumption, contributing to overweight, obesity, and related health issues.”
She said that World Health Organization (WHO) categorizes malnutrition as including those conditions, as well as deficiencies in vitamins and minerals, and their associated diseases.
Lamenting that Nigeria continues to struggle with poor chronic indicators, she recalled that WHO describes nutrition as the intake of food considered in relation to the body’s dietary need of cells.
“According to WHO, food provides the body with energy, protein, essential fats, vitamins and minerals to live, grow and function properly.
“Good nutrition and physical activity is the cornerstone of both good physical and mental health. Good nutrition means your body gets all the nutrients, vitamins, and minerals it needs to work its best,” Olalokun remarked.
“Generally, malnutrition refers to poor intake of food which may be an excess consumption of food (overnutrition) or inadequate nutrient consumption (undernutrition),” the Nestle Nutrition Institute chief explained.
She expressed concern that the unregulated distribution of breastmilk substitutes, compounded by limited access to clean water during crises, significantly increases the risk of malnutrition and death among infants and young children.
Calling for prioritization of breastfeeding practices, she noted that provision of essential support can mitigate these risks and help bridge the gap between the most vulnerable and those with greater access to resources.
