Chioma Umeha

There is growing concern about the high level of malnutrition in Nigeria just as recent statistics has shown that the country remains one of the first 36 in the world with the highest burden of malnutrition.  According to experts, the nutritional status of many Nigerians is still far from expected, as the prevalence of all forms of malnutrition remains high. Specifically, statistics shows that about 37 per cent of Nigerian children are stunted, 29 per cent underweight and 18 per cent wasted, while micronutrient deficiencies are also high. This is even as researchers from the Federal Ministries of Health and Agriculture and Rural Development, as well as Nestle Nigeria, have lamented that nutrition-related diseases continue to be an issue of public health importance in Nigeria as it slows economic growth and perpetuates poverty through direct losses in productivity.  Such losses they said come from poor physical status, poor cognitive function and deficits in schooling as well a

Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) in collaboration with the Lagos State Ministry of Health has launched the pro-poor community health project; a project that focuses on improved outreach services in communities.  The project also encourages members of the community to take advantage of health care services provided at the primary health centres (PHCs) close to them. At a ceremony held recently at the Eti-Osa Local Government secretariat, Igbo-Efon, to launch the project, the Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Public Health, Dr. Yewande Adeshina, explained that the pro-poor community health project sponsored by JICA commenced in year 2014 and expected to run through year 2018, adding that the aim is to expand and improve the concept of universal health coverage, reduce child morbidity and mortality and improve maternal health.  She added that the project which is presently being implemented in Eti-Osa LGA is targeted at poor communities where lack of

A recent study from Harvard School of Public Health (HSPH) adds to evidence that eating breakfast is important for good health. HSPH researchers found that men who regularly skipped breakfast had a 27 per cent higher risk of heart attack or death from coronary heart disease than those who did eat a morning meal.  Non-breakfast-eaters were generally hungrier later in the day and ate more food at night, perhaps leading to metabolic changes and heart disease. The study was published recently, in the American Heart Association (AHA) journal Circulation. The scientists analyzed food questionnaire data and health outcomes from 1992-2008 on 26,902 male health professionals, ages 45-82.  During the study, 1,572 of the men had cardiac events. Even after accounting for diet, physical activity, smoking, and other lifestyle factors, the association between skipping breakfast and heart disease persisted. “Skipping breakfast may lead to one or more risk factors, including obesity, high bl

In line with its commitment to pro¬tect and educate consumers on the dangers of buying and using cheap substandard product, Dettol, one of the leading antiseptic brand from the stables of RB has further strengthened its partnership with the Nigerian Medi¬cal Association (NMA) at the associa-tion’s 55th Annual General Conference held in Ibadan.  Speaking during the conference, the Marketing Director, RB West Africa, Silivrili Oghuzan, said Dettol is most delighted to further strengthen our part¬nership with the Nigerian Medical As¬sociation to further promote safety and good health. He further explained: “Dettol has been consistently partnering with statu¬tory bodies within the health sector in¬cluding NMA, Ministry of Health, NAF¬DAC and local governments to educate consumers about the best hygiene prac¬tices and contribute to the health and wellbeing of families in Nigeria for the last 50 years.” Silivrili said Dettol’s on-going cam¬paign is focused on educating Nigerian families

Fifty paramedics drawn from An­glophone countries of Central and West Africa are met from 18 to 21 this month at the maiden edition of the International Course in Applied Nu­trition organised by the Nestlé Nutrition Institute Africa.  The theme of the train­ing was ‘The first 1000 days of life: Early Nutrition and long term health’. The meeting is in line with the com­mitment of Nestlé, one of the leading nu­trition, health and wellness company to provide education programmes for good nutrition and feeding practices and help healthcare professionals to have a greater impact on the nutritional aspects of care of future generations. In a statement from Nestlé Central & West Africa Region, Corporate Commu­nications & Public Affairs Department, Rizwan Yousuf, Category Manager, Nestlé Nutrition, Nestlé Nigeria, said: “We are convinced that good maternal nutrition during pregnancy, followed by exclusive breastfeeding during the first six months, is the best method to ensure a go