To ensure proper child growth, development and immunity, Nigerians have been urged to eat locally produced foods.
The call was made by Dieticians Oladipo Gbenga, Chief Nutritionist and Dietetics, University of Benin Teaching Hospital, UBTH during the monthly seminar organized by the Institute of Child Health, University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin City.
He said world over, food insecurity contributes adversely and greatly to malnutrition adding that over 90 percent of children aged between 4 to 13 years in some regions do not meet daily needs of zinc and other vitamins.
Evaluating the Impact of Healthy Nutrition in the Development of Economically Deprived Children, Dr Oladipo Gbenga noted that nutrition play key role in the growth of children and development, educationally.
“Animal protein is under consumed mostly due to high cost of cultural beliefs which contribute to poor intake of iron, zinc, vitamin B2 and calcium. He observed.
He therefore recommended the use of locally combined ingredients to inorder to address problem of malnutrition in children.
The Chaiman of the occasion, Pro. J.M Omoyakhi of the Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Benin, on his part disclosed that nutrition is key to child health and growth, and therefore parents should be delebrate and conscious of what they eat.
A former Director, Institute of Child Health, Prof. Charles Eregie on his part also observed that because of the economic situation in the country, adequate diet is prescribed and that the use of breast milk should be taken till the age of two years.
The Director, Institute of Child Health, Prof. (Mrs) Ayebo Sadoh emphasised on the need to get the locally made products which are cheaper and more nutritional.
“Many children are becoming malnourished but if this locally combined mix can be produced in large scale, they may be recommended to mothers saying that our leaders and elites should show examples by using this locally formulated products that are nutritious than imported food, she added.
