Experts in the nutrition industry have called for more education on the importance of Nigerians, especially pregnant women, to eat healthily within their means.
The experts called for adequate and appropriate nutrition on Wednesday at the Nutrition for All Life Stages workshop, organised for journalists by Nestle Nigeria at its Agbara factory in Ogun.
A dietitian facilitator, Dr Pat Chimah-Madubuko, emphasised the intake of food rich in macro and micronutrients in the right proportion throughout the entire human life cycle.
Chimah-Madubuko says a pregnant woman provides nutrition for herself and her growing baby, hence the need for proper nutrition.
“A pregnant woman’s estimated energy requirements are similar to those of a non-pregnant woman in the first trimester.
“It increases by 340 calories per day in the second trimester and 452 calories per day in the third trimester.
“So, there is a need to feed right, especially for women who are already overweight before conception.
“They don’t need to ‘eat for two’ as people usually say,” Chimah-Madubuko said.
On the menace of malnutrition, Dr Kanalio Olaloku of the Nestle Nutrition Institute, Central West Africa Region, said poverty has been closely associated with malnutrition in Nigeria.
According to her, various levels of malnutrition exist, ranging from overweight, underweight, wasted and stunted.
Olaloku stated that issues of malnutrition had become a time bomb, especially in the North-East of Nigeria.
“According to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, the number of children suffering acute malnutrition is projected to increase to two million in 2025, up from 1.74 million in 2024,” she said.
However, she identified diversification of diet, deworming and fortifying foods for good health as the way forward.
“Over 95 per cent of our products have been fortified to provide at least 15 per cent of our daily needs in one serving.
“Each product is fortified with at least one of the four big nutrient deficiencies: Iron, Vitamin A, Zinc and Iodine.
“In addition are nutrients such as Vitamin C, Calcium, Phosphorus, among others,” Olaloku said.
She called for increased awareness of the importance of iron, the severe impact of Iron Deficiency Anaemia, and the affordable and accessible solutions.
“This is what Nestle is doing in partnership with stakeholders, to amplify, advocate and drive better eating choices,” Olaloku said.
Meanwhile, the Corporate Affairs Manager, Nestle Nigeria, Ms Toju Egbebi, said the workshop was organised to enlighten journalists on issues of nutrition and wellness for all ages.
Egbebi stated that the organisation would continue to provide healthy nutrition for all while creating a safe environment and partnership for sustainability.
(NAN)
