UNICEF: Changing feeding practices key to preventing malnutrition in children

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) in partnership with Child Rights Information Bureau (CRIB) of Federal Ministry of Information and Culture, is advocating for more efforts to fight malnutrition because addressing malnutrition is one of the ways in which development goals can be achieved.

Mr Olumide Osanyipeju, Head CRIB at a media dialogue on child malnutrition in North-East, which was held in Yola on the 7th of December 2018 said;

”Nutrition is key to National development and the people needs to be educated

“It is imperative to combat malnutrition because it can cause death in young children particularly those under five years.

“There should be concerted efforts to fight malnutrition out in totality to ensure the attainment of desired results.”

“It will significantly reduce micro-nutrient deficiency disorders, especially among the vulnerable group and to increase the knowledge of nutrition among the populace and education in formal and informal training.

“There is need for investment in child malnutrition for the future, raising awareness and understanding on the problem of malnutrition in Nigeria and resource allocation for food and nutrition security at all levels,”

DON’T MISS: How Poverty Hinders Education In Northern Nigeria

Dr Davis Bamidele Omotala, a nutrition consultant in his speech noted that Insurgency in the North East is the main driver of malnutrition which results in high food insecurity and spread of endemic diseases.

ALSO READ: Too many children, little space: How inadequate furniture and classroom space affects access to education

He also disclosed that while insurgency is the main cause of malnutrition in the North East, it’s also caused by mothers who in order not to lose their perfect shape, decide to skip exclusive breastfeeding not realizing that skipping breastfeeding actually makes mothers add more weight which becomes very difficult to lose.

He said:

”If you do not exclusively breastfeed you’re baby, that’s malnourishment.

A baby should be breastfed 8 – 9 times daily cos a baby is an obligatory parasite. Anything less than 8 times, you’re starving your baby.

READ: Children Rights: A Path To A Better Nigeria

UNICEF Communication Specialist, Dr Geoffrey Njoku disclosed that the objective of the media dialogue is to raise awareness on the level of malnutrition in the northeastern part of Nigeria so that appropriate measures will be taken to curb the alarming situation. He also disclosed the need for more investment in nutrition especially in areas with humanitarian crises.

Related Article: 10 Reasons Why The Girl Child Should Access Quality Education